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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Hindi na credible': Zaldy Co claim vs Marcos shows ICI is compromised, says solon

'Hindi na credible': Zaldy Co claim vs Marcos shows ICI is compromised, says solon

Published Nov 15, 2025 09:57 am

At A Glance

  • Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co's P100-billion project insertion allegation agaiinst President Marcos has shown that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is a "compromised" institution.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Mark Balmores/ MANILA BULlETIN)
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Mark Balmores/ MANILA BULlETIN)


Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co's P100-billion project insertion allegation agaiinst President Marcos has shown that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is a "compromised" institution.
Kamanggagawa Party-list Rep. Eli San Fernando had this to say over the weekend, as he brought up the need for a true-blue, independent inquiry on those involved in the flood control projects corruption scandal.
“Hindi na credible ang ICI (The ICI is no longer credible)," San Fernando bluntly said.
"Mahirap nang iasa ang imbestigasyon sa ICI na mismong binuo ng Pangulo (The ICI, created by the President himself, can no longer be relied upon to carry out the investigation). No institution can credibly investigate the very person who created it. This is why the Filipino people deserve a real, independent, and fearless inquiry.”
It was Sept. 11 when President Marcos issued Executive Order (EO) No.94, which effectiveky formed the ICI. The commission began inviting Department of Public Work and Highways (DPWH) officials and other witnesses to hearings days later.
Retired Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr. chairs the ICI.
President Marcos was the one who exposed the entire flood control projects mess. However, it has ended hurting his allies--or former ally, in the case of Co.
On Friday morning, Co released a video statement wherein he claimed that President Marcos--through officials of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)--ordered him to insert P100 billion worth of infrastructure projects in the 2025 national budget.
Co, the Committee on Appropriations chairman during the previous 19th Congress, was allegedly ordered to do so during the Bicameral Conference Committee hearing on the budget measure.
San Fernando highlighted that this scandal wasn't unique to the current administration.
“This is not new. This is not isolated. This is a systemic problem that has spanned administrations. But today, the evidence points to the very center of political power. And that means we cannot look away,” he noted.
San Fernando reiterated his demand for an independent, impartial investigative body, free from presidential influence to uncover the full truth behind decades of corruption in public works.
“We need an impartial body that the President cannot control. We need a citizen-led effort to expose the full extent of corruption in flood control and beyond,” he said.
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