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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Good call: Solons give thumbs up as Singson, Fajardo join independent commission

Good call: Solons give thumbs up as Singson, Fajardo join independent commission

Published Sep 13, 2025 09:41 pm

At A Glance

  • Members of the House of Representatives have hailed the inclusion of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Rogelio Singson and former SGV Chairperson Rossana Fajardo to the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI).
The House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio / MANILA BULLETIN)
The House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio / MANILA BULLETIN)


Members of the House of Representatives have hailed the inclusion of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Rogelio Singson and former SGV Chairperson Rossana Fajardo to the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI).
Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, and Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list all welcomed this development Saturday, Sept. 13 amid the deepening flood control projects scandal.
"We welcome the appointment of former Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson as one of the members of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). With his clean track record, credibility, and efficient leadership as former DPWH chief, we are confident that he will make significant contributions to the investigation of anomalous flood control and other government infrastructure projects," De Lima said.
Singson served as DPWH secretary under the late former president Benigno S. Aquino III.
"During his term, he was able to curb corruption in the agency through his 5 R’s formula—“Right Projects, at the Right Cost and Right Quality and accomplished Right on Time, with the Right People. Nasuyod na nya ang mga pasikot-sikot noon sa DPWH, at sa ilalim ng kanyang liderato, naipatupad ang kongkretong mga reporma at transpormasyon ng ahensya," she said.
(He had already navigated the ins and outs of the DPWH before, and under his leadership, concrete reforms and transformations of the agency were implemented.)
Ridon, echoed De Lima's sentiments.
"We have confidence in their (Singson and Fajardo) competence and integrity to carry out the crucial task of investigating corruption in infrastructure and flood control projects, introducing meaningful reforms in public works, and ensuring that perpetrators of corruption are held accountable," he said.
Ridon is the lead chairman of the House Infrastructure Committee (infra comm), which has been conducting its own probe on the flood control projects mess.
BH Party-list hailed the Palace's formation of the ICI, and said it has "wider latitude and ample powers to investigate without fear or favor"
"The inclusion of experienced figures like Rogelio 'Babes' Singson and Rossana Fajardo gives the commission both credibility and technical expertise. We are hopeful that their work will finally lead to accountability and reforms in flood control and other major infrastructure projects," the group said.
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