President Marcos has issued Executive Order (EO) No. 94, creating the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), a powerful fact-finding body tasked to investigate corruption and irregularities in flood control and other public works projects.

Based on the EO, the ICI’s immediate priority will be the review of flood control projects implemented within the last 10 years. This came after President Marcos expressed outrage in recent weeks over reports of ghost and substandard projects, describing corruption in the sector as already “garapalan” or brazen.

The President earlier vowed to give the probe body “all the powers that are necessary” to get to the bottom of the anomalies and recommend long-term safeguards.

“The Administration is firmly committed to maintaining honesty and integrity in public service, and will take decisive measures to repress and hold accountable government officials and employees, and any other individual, who engage in graft, corrupt practices, or other acts that undermine the national interest and betray the people’s trust,” the EO read.

Based on the EO, the commission members must be of “proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.” They will have authority to hear complaints, gather evidence, issue subpoenas, recommend cases, and even seek preventive suspension of officials under investigation.

While the names of the members of the ICI are not yet disclosed, the President earlier said that no politician will be part of the commission.

Under EO 94, the commission can recommend the filing of criminal, civil, and administrative cases before the Ombudsman, Department of Justice (DOJ), Civil Service Commission, or other disciplinary bodies. It may also propose corrective measures or legislative reforms to prevent similar abuses.

The ICI is authorized to request records from Congress and the courts, seek hold departure orders, recommend asset freezes, and endorse the admission of witnesses into the government’s protection program.

Failure by any government official to comply with its subpoenas or cooperate with its proceedings may result in disciplinary or even criminal action.

The commission will be supported by a secretariat headed by an executive director, who will hold the rank of undersecretary, tasked with managing its day-to-day operations. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has been directed to immediately identify funding sources for its initial implementation.

The ICI will submit monthly reports to the Office of the President through the Executive Secretary and will make public its accomplishments. It will be dissolved once it completes its mandate, unless otherwise ordered by the President.

EO 94 is the latest measure in the administration’s widening campaign against corruption in public works.

In his recent “BBM Podcast,” President Marcos revealed that no new allocation for flood control projects was included in the 2026 National Expenditure Program, citing P350 billion in unspent funds for ongoing projects. He stressed contractors must first complete substandard or defective projects “at their cost” before any further talks with the government.

The President also vowed to pursue “big fish” behind systemic corruption in infrastructure, warning that entrenched players must be removed to reform the system.

“Kapag sila na-out of action na ay talagang magbabago, dahil sila talaga nagpapatakbo (Once they are out of action, there will truly be change, because they are the ones running the system),” he said.