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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Erice says ICI member already 'losing hope', but didn't mention who

Erice says ICI member already 'losing hope', but didn't mention who

Published Oct 6, 2025 05:34 pm

At A Glance

  • House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Caloocan City 2nd district Rep. Edgar "Egay" Erice said that one member of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) who he recently spoke to was already "losing hope".
Caloocan City 2nd district Rep. Edgar "Egay" Erice (PPAB)
Caloocan City 2nd district Rep. Edgar "Egay" Erice (PPAB)
House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Caloocan City 2nd district Rep. Edgar "Egay" Erice said that one member of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) who he recently spoke to was already "losing hope".




In a fiery privilege speech on Monday afternoon, Oct. 6, Erice called on his fellow lawmakers to swiftly pass a law that would add to the powers of the ICI.
"Minumungkahi ko po na magpasa tayo sa lalong madaling panahon ng isang batas na magpapalakas sa Independent Commission for Infrastructure, ICI na itinatag ng ating Pangulo," he said.
(I suggest that we pass in the soonest possible time a law that would strengthen the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, ICI that was established by our President.)
"May nakausap po akong miyembro ng ICI, siya po ay nawawalan na ng pag-asa (I spoke with a member of the ICI, thia member is losing hope)," Erice said, without naming anybody.
"Kung siya ay magre-resign dahil sa kakulangan ng kanilang...ng poder, lalo pong mawawalan na ng tiwala ang ating mamamayan (If the member was going to resign due to lack of authority, then our countrymen will futher lose trust)," noted the veteram solon.
"Sabi niya po (This member said), that 'Without contempt powers, we might as well just task the NBI and the Ombudsman to do the investigation,'" narrated Erice.
Ths ICI was created by the President Marcos to look into the massive flood control projects corruption scandal that he himself exposed. The public's anger over the controversy continues to swell.
Erice said of the mearsure: "Hinihingi natin sa ating Pangulo na i-certify ito [as urgent], at kung kinakailangan nating mag-special session, gawin po natin ito (We ask from our President to certify this as urgent, and if we need to carry out a special session, then let's do it)."
The ICI is chaired by retired Supreme Court (SC) associate justice Andres Reyes Jr. It's members include former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson and SGV & Co. Country Managing Partner Rossana Fajardo.
Erice and his fellow minority solons had earlier filed House Bill (HB) No. 4453, which sought to institutionalize an “Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICAIC)"--described as an ICI with teeth.
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