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The Independent Commission for Infrastructure in Taguig City on October 21, 2025.The Independent Commission for Infrastructure in Taguig City on October 21, 2025.

ICI now left with just its head Andy Reyes, as second commissioner quits

2025/12/26 10:29

MANILA, Philippines — Rossana Fajardo, one of two remaining commissioners of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) that was tasked to probe into the flood control project scandal, is resigning effective December 31, according to her statement on Friday, December 26.

Fajardo, country managing partner at SGV & Co., is the second in what was originally a body of three that was formed to lead an independent probe into anomalies and irregularities in government infrastructure projects in the last decade.

When Fajardo steps down by the end of December, and presuming he stays on, too, former Supreme Court justice Andres Reyes Jr., who chairs the commission, will be the sole commissioner left. Former public works chief Rogelio “Babes” Singson had earlier stepped down as commissioner, citing “very intense and stressful ICI work.”

Those left with Reyes in the ICI as of Friday are members of the working staff, such as executive director Brian Hosaka and special adviser Rodolfo Azurin, a retired police general.

“This can very well be the end of ICI. Dapat kasi meron nang (We should have formed the) ICAIC (Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption) by now,” said Mamamayang Liberal Representative Leila de Lima in a social media post on Friday.

In her statement, Fajardo said: “Since my appointment in September 2025, I have been committed to advancing the Commission’s objectives, particularly in the areas of financial oversight and infrastructure project investigations.”

“Throughout my tenure, I have developed comprehensive approaches for evidence gathering, prepared detailed work plans, and supervised volunteer efforts in investigations. My contributions have led to recommendations aimed at improving government procurement and budgeting processes related to infrastructure projects. I have completed the work I set out to accomplish when I was appointed, ensuring that the foundational goals of the Commission have been met,” she added.

Before Singson stepped down, he lamented the administration’s lack of financial support for the ad hoc body that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself created. He also pointed out the ICI’s lack of powers, particularly in comparison to similar, though institutionalized, bodies in the region.

Funds for the ICI, as mandated by Marcos’ executive order, were released by the budget department shortly after Singson made the commission’s financial situation public.

Why resign?

Fajardo did not cite personal reasons for stepping down, but said that she “[believes] that the investigative and prosecutorial responsibilities will now transition to other agencies, such as the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman, which are better positioned to ensure accountability for contractors and government officials.”

“Additionally, with the recent prioritization of bills for the creation of the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption and the Independent People’s Commission, a permanent Commission with enhanced powers will be more effective in supporting the Ombudsman’s office in prosecuting parties involved in irregular government infrastructure projects,” she said, referring to one of a handful of measures that Marcos wants Congress to prioritize.

“It has been a profound honor to serve alongside individuals who are deeply committed to transparency and accountability, dedicating themselves selflessly to the Filipino people. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a collective mission that prioritizes the welfare of our citizens,” said Fajardo.

The ICI was created in September 2025, months after Marcos, in his State of the Nation Address, promised to hold accountable personalities who had profited off substandard or non-existent government flood control projects.

Congressional probes paused once the ICI was formed — although the Senate eventually resumed its investigation.

It was meant to spearhead efforts to probe both politicians and contractors — even politicians related to Marcos, like former House speaker Martin Romualdez and presidential son House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos.

Yet even as the ICI’s importance was heralded and its independence, the commission was plagued by its inability to compel people to appear before it. The body was also criticized for coming up short on transparency — because even after it finally gave in and started livestreaming proceedings, politicians could easily request for an executive session to skip real-time scrutiny from the public.

Marcos had earlier promised jail for “many” personalities linked to flood control corruption before Christmas 2025. Several have since surrendered to law enforcement, although one of the most prominent politicians with a standing warrant against him, former appropriations chairperson Zaldy Co, has yet to be tracked down.

Co, a Marcos ally turned accuser, apparently fled the country as soon as probes into infrastructure anomalies started. Philippine authorities are still trying to track down the resigned lawmaker, whose passport has since been cancelled.

The flood control corruption scandal is the biggest crisis that Marcos and his administration has faced. Allegations of wrongdoing — from corruption to glaring conflicts of interest in the executive — have touched most corners of Marcos’ administration. – Rappler.com

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