At A Glance
- Members of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) remain on high morale amid the new claims made by a controversial personality in the flood control projects mess.
Members of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) remain on high morale despite the new claims made by a controversial personality in the flood control projects mess.
"It's very high. In fact, we're doing our best to be able to comply with our mandate," ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka said on Monday, Nov. 17.
Hosaka's remark came after former Ako Bicol Party-list representative Zaldy Co--one of the alleged key playerscin in the anomalous flood control projects--accused President Marcos of receiving P25 billion worth of kickbacks from such projects.
ICI's integrity has been questioned, especially by the critics of the Marcos administration, since the body was created by the President himself.
For one, Kamanggagawa Party-list Rep. Eli San Fernando recently said ICI was "no longer credible", given that Co's allegations against the President have already "compromised" the institution.
"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," he said.
Despite criticisms, ICI has continued its investigation on personalities allegedly involved in the controversy. It had already begun submitting case referrals—the measure of its compliance with its mandate—to the Ombudsman.