Malacañang has assured the country’s top business organizations that the government’s anti-corruption campaign is being pursued with urgency and depth through the ongoing work of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

In her press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Marcos fully understands the concerns raised by 34 major business groups, which recently urged the government to act swiftly and transparently against corruption.

“Nararamdaman po ng Pangulo at ng administrasyon ang mga nararamdaman ng mga businessmen kaya po patuloy ang ginagawang pag-iimbestiga at patuloy ang pagpapabilis ng aksyon para po mapanagot ang dapat na mapanagot (The President and the administration understand the sentiments of the business sector, which is why investigations are ongoing and actions are being expedited to hold the guilty accountable),” she said Monday, Oct. 20.

Castro noted that since the President launched the Sumbong sa Pangulo website last September and established the ICI through Executive Order No. 94, significant progress has been made in the probe of anomalous flood control and infrastructure projects.

According to the Palace Press Officer, the administration has already ordered the freezing of assets, issued Immigration Lookout Bulletin Orders (ILBOs), and recommended the filing of charges against several officials, including a sitting congressman.

Castro said the President is “satisfied” with how the ICI has been performing, noting that its hearings have drawn cooperation even from lawmakers and other high-ranking officials.

“Sa ngayon po, maganda po ang tinatakbo ng ICI; at iginagalang po ng mga witnesses or iyong mga pinapatawag, mga diumano’y concerned parties, ginagalang nila ang ICI at tumutugon sila sa patawag (So far, the ICI is doing well; witnesses and concerned parties respect its authority and respond to its summons),” she said.

She added that the commission’s credibility and transparency have helped sustain public confidence in the government’s anti-graft efforts.

Asked about proposals from business groups and lawmakers to grant the ICI stronger legal authority through Congress, Castro said the President remains open to the idea.

“Kung may igaganda pa, hindi naman po ito sasarahan ng pinto ng Pangulo (If it will make things better, the President will not close the door to that possibility),” she said.

She, however, emphasized that the commission has so far operated effectively under its current mandate.

Meanwhile, Castro issued a warning to individuals allegedly attempting to undermine the ICI’s integrity by spreading false information about its work.

“Siguro ang hiling na lamang po natin doon sa mga obstructionists na gumagawa na lang ng iba’t ibang kuwento para sirain ang integridad ng ICI, bawasan nila ito o hintuan na nila dahil hindi po ito nakakatulong sa ekonomiya (We ask those creating false stories to discredit the ICI to stop, because it does not help the economy),” she said.