The newly created Independent Commission for Infrastructure will immediately begin investigating anomalous flood control and related projects from the past 10 years, with Malacañang expressing hopes of completing the probe within a few months.
The Palace on Saturday announced that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio L. Singson and SGV and Co. Country Managing Partner Rossana A. Fajardo as the two members of the ICI, as well as Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong as the Commission’s Special Adviser.
“The Commission will begin its work immediately,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.
Castro said the ICI would work in the fastest time possible, although the extent of the investigation into corruption, irregularities, and misuse of public funds in DPWH flood control and related projects over the past decade is considerable.
“Wala pong masasabi agad na timeline. Ang pinaka-timeline dito ay mas agaran o mas mabilisang pagtatrabaho. At mas mainam po matapos po ito sa loob lamang ng ilang buwan,” Castro said.
“Pero sabi nga po natin, sa dami po ng records na dapat aralin ay bigyan po natin ng pagkakataon ang ICI na aralin lahat ang mga dokumento para po kapag po may sinampahang kaso ay kumpleto naman po ang mga dokumento,” Castro added.
President Marcos will announce the chairperson of the ICI in the coming days, according to Castro.
Under Executive Order No. 94, President Marcos tasked the ICI to investigate and gather evidence and information on irregularities in government flood control and infrastructure projects.
The ICI shall also recommend the filing of appropriate cases before the Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Justice, Civil Service Commission (CSC), and other competent bodies, and propose corrective measures to ensure transparency and accountability in infrastructure programs.
Malacañang reiterated that the ICI members would conduct their investigation impartially and thoroughly.
“Kagaya nang paulit-ulit na sinabi ni Pangulo, walang sasantuhin dito kahit kamag-anak, kaibigan, kaalyado. There will be no sacred cows,” Castro said.
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