One of the most prominent voices in the private sector has expressed willingness to provide funding support for the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) in its ongoing investigation into the flood control scandal as calls for accountability and justice ramp up.

Al Panlilio, president of the influential Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), said the group is interested in extending budgetary support for the ICI, particularly for equipment necessary to carry out its probe.

“Babes Singson is also part of MAP…We told him how we can help in what they're trying to do,” said Panlilio on the sidelines of the 6th MAP NextGen Conference 2025.

“They only have volunteer lawyers. They don’t even have computers, no scanners, no printers. So, these are the things we’re looking into,” he added.

Singson, a former secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), is a member of the three-man ICI.

President Marcos earlier established the ICI to investigate irregularities and misuse of funds in flood control and other public infrastructure projects.

It was only last week that the ICI finally secured a budget for until the end of the year, amounting to ₱41.48 million. Before then, the commission had been essentially operating in the spirit of volunteerism.

While he acknowledged that the budget is relatively small compared to its gargantuan task, Panlilio said it is a good sign that the government is serious about its anti-corruption drive.

He also said the MAP will ensure that its proposed assistance to ICI’s operations is within the bounds of the law.

“We're making sure that our actions won't be a very problematic state,” the business leader said.

Panlilio said this support from the business group is a follow-up to the private sector’s call to President Marcos last month to strengthen the ICI, which, according to him, remains unanswered.

A total of 34 business groups, including MAP, urged Marcos to empower the ICI with full legal authority and independence to conduct a swift and comprehensive investigation into corruption in the public works sector.

Currently, ICI is only authorized to conduct hearings, take testimony, and recommend the filing of appropriate criminal, civil, and administrative cases against those responsible.

“We're trying to see ways and means to not wait for that, and see how ICI can be helped,” said Panlilio.

The MAP is set to form an internal committee that will outline its plans in helping the ICI in its ongoing probe and the broader fight against corruption, he said.

Transparency through blockchain

At the same time, the MAP is also in support of Senator Bam Aquino’s push to use blockchain technology to make transactions in the government more transparent.

“You're able to identify if something is not right. So, at least it gives us an opportunity to start keeping track of all of this,” said Panlilio.

“I know it’s a big task, but you have to start somewhere. And I think, of course, the hot topic right now is the DPWH,” he explained.

The DPWH is expected to be the first agency that will have its budget under a blockchain technology to enable greater scrutiny for the public, with more agencies expected to follow suit.

Aquino, in particular, identified the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) as the next target.

“A number of business groups have come to me about these issues. And I think what we need to see is after the current investigations are resolved or while they're getting resolved, we should move to other agencies,” the senator said in a chance interview.

“Right now, we're in the infrastructure, but let's not waste the momentum. Let's chase all the government transactions that should be better,” he added.

Aquino said he is set to sponsor the proposed Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Act on Wednesday, Nov. 12, to institutionalize this push.

The measure, if enacted, would mandate all government transaction documents involving public funds to be publicly disclosed online.

“There's no valid reason for them to keep that secret. There's no valid reason to hide the documents of where the money of the people will go,” said Aquino.