President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not inclined to certify as urgent several congressional measures that seek to strengthen — or institutionalize — the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), even as questions mount over the body’s mandate and future.
The ICI’s continuity was cast into doubt after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the commission may operate only until February, after which its fact-finding work on public works corruption would revert to the Ombudsman.
Multiple bills are pending in Congress aimed at expanding the ICI’s authority, including Senate President Vicente Sotto III’s Senate Bill No. 1215, which seeks to transform the ICI from an executive-order creation into a permanent body under law.
Sotto earlier said he planned to ask Marcos to certify his bill as urgent; the measure proposes reconstituting the commission as an Independent People’s Commission with five members serving three-year terms, renewable once.
But Malacañang press officer Claire Castro said the President remains cautious, noting potential constitutional challenges and possible overlap with existing agencies such as the Ombudsman and Department of Justice.
Castro stressed that the DOJ and the Ombudsman already have the authority to determine probable cause and file cases before the Sandiganbayan or other courts, while the ICI is limited to fact-finding and recommending charges.
The ICI has recommended charges against several high-profile figures, including former senator Ramon Revilla Jr. and resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, for their alleged roles in a multibillion-peso flood-control corruption scheme.
House minority lawmakers are also seeking presidential certification for House Bill No. 4453, which would grant the ICI subpoena powers across all branches of government and give it the authority to cite in contempt those who ignore its summons.
But Castro reiterated that Marcos does not want the ICI to acquire contempt powers, emphasizing that the body is designed for fact-finding, not penalizing uncooperative individuals.
She added that the President sees no need to rush the legislation, saying Congress is already “working quickly” on the proposed measures.
Former ICI head Rogelio Singson, who is stepping down by year-end due to stress and security concerns, earlier urged Congress to strengthen the body through law so it can pursue high-level corruption more effectively.
Castro also said Malacañang has yet to discuss Remulla’s claim about the ICI’s supposed February deadline, noting that the commission has been instrumental in ongoing anti-corruption investigations.
She likewise defended the delay in the release of the ICI’s operational funds, saying the initial ₱41-million allotment had been approved in September but the cash allocation was issued only last week due to delays in opening the commission’s bank account and completing required documents.