Malacañang said it respects the decision of Rogelio "Babes" Singson to resign as one of the commissioners of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said they understand why Singson resigned, considering the stressful work they go through daily at the commission.

"Siyempre po ginagalang naman po natin ang desisyon ni dating Secretary Babes Singson, considering na health reason na ang naging konsiderasyon ng magaling na Secretary Babes. So talaga naman po mahirap naman po talaga ang trabaho ng ICI (Of course, we respect the decision of former Secretary Babes Singson, considering that health reasons became the main factor for the good Secretary Babes. The work at the ICI is really difficult)," Castro said in an interview with DZMM on Thursday, Dec. 4.

"Halos everyday may meeting po sila, naghi-hearing kumbaga poldong-poldong mga dokumento ang kailangan basahin. Talaga naman pong hindi biro ang trabaho ng ICI (They have meetings almost every day, and they conduct hearings where they need to read piles upon piles of documents. The work at the ICI is truly no joke)," Castro added.

Aside from health concerns, Castro said perhaps the former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary deemed his role in the commission is finished, noting that he might be considering offering his expertise to the DPWH now that his role in the ICI is over.

"Siguro po nakita din po niya sabi nga niya parang tapos na yung kanyang naging papel dahil mga lawyers na yung kailangan kasi nandyan na po yung lahat ng halos naimbestigahan at siguro yung kanyang expertise nga talaga ngayon ay para maibigay yung kanyang tulong sa DPWH (Perhaps he also saw, like he said, that his role is already finished because what’s needed now are lawyers, since almost everything that needed to be investigated is already there. And maybe his real expertise now is to give his assistance to the DPWH)," Castro said.

She added that Singson "truly wants now to help the DPWH implement his master plan that was not carried out in the previous administration."

Despite Singson's resignation, the Palace official gave an assurance that the commission tasked to look into the massive flood control corruption will still function efficiently.

"Hindi naman po marami pa rin pong magaling na nandyan po sa ICI hindi naman po maapektuhan ito. Meron siguro lang po nagpapalaganap nito para po hindi na maging maganda ang tingin ng tao sa ICI pero hindi marami pa pong magaling na maiiwan po diyan (There are still many capable people there in ICI, so this won’t really be affected. Maybe there are just some who are spreading this so that people will no longer have a good impression of ICI, but there are still many skilled people who will remain there)," the Palace official said.

Castro also disclosed that there has yet to be any talks on Singson's replacement.

"Wala, wala pa pong napag-uusapan sa ganyan at sa ating palagay naman po yan naman po ay desisyon po ni Secretary Babes Singson at hindi naman po mapipigil po yan lalo na po sabi nga niya medyo stressful (None, nothing like that has been discussed yet, and in our view, that is really the decision of Secretary Babes Singson, and it’s something that cannot be stopped, especially since he himself said it’s quite stressful)," she said.

ICI Chairman Andres Reyes Jr. announced on Wednesday, Dec. 3, the resignation of Singson from the independent body, citing "stressful work" at the commission.

According to Reyes, the "intense work" at the ICI is "taking its toll on his aging body."