By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
A Malacañang official reiterated the commitment of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in going after those responsible for irregularities in flood control projects, amid concerns and scrutiny regarding the fate of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
This, as Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressed that the President respects the independence of the flood control probe body as it carries out its mandate in coordination with relevant government agencies.
Usec. Castro told the media, “Ang pag-iimbestiga ay iniwan niya sa kamay ng ICI. Ang mga dokumento na dapat aralin at kung dapat sinong kasuhan, iniwan niya na rin sa Department of Public Works and Highways.
Nandyan din at nangako ang Ombudsman na sila ay magpapatuloy sa pag-iimbestiga, pati ang Department of Justice.”
She added further that while the President is currently focusing on economic matters, he remains open for any inputs or assistance sought by the Commission from the executive branch.
The undersecretary concluded in her remarks, “Ang tungkol sa flood control projects, hayaan na natin sa mga mag-iimbestiga, at kung nakasuhan na, hayaan na natin ito sa korte at sa Sandiganbayan.”
As of press time, while some notable figures tagged in the flood control mess were already put behind bars or have outstanding warrants of arrest filed against them, the so-called “big fish” are yet to be brought to justice despite the Commission’s efforts.
Originally established by virtue of Executive Order No. 94 s. 2025 inked by the Chief Executive on September 11, 2025, ICI was mandated to conduct a thorough and transparent review of various flood control projects and other government public works, untainted by politics or other mischievous acts in governance.
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