President Marcos continues to have confidence in the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and will not be pressured by public calls to abolish it, Malacañang said on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said critics should not preempt the President’s thinking on the commission’s fate while its work remains ongoing.

She added that the President’s primary instruction is for accountability to prevail, without fear or favor.

“Ang nais lang din po ay mapanagot ang lahat, walang sinisino, walang kinikilingan (What the President wants is for everyone to be held accountable, without singling out or favoring anyone),” she said.

Castro added that while ICI officials may seek clarification from the Office of the President, the commission is expected to act based on evidence and its terms of reference. She reiterated that the ICI is an independent body and does not require direction from Malacañang to perform its mandate.

Addressing concerns about the commission’s composition, Castro said the ICI can still perform its recommendatory role even with only its chair remaining.

She said Justice Andres Reyes, the ICI chair, may still recommend the filing of cases if evidence is sufficient, noting that anyone may submit recommendations to the Ombudsman.

“Hindi po hadlang na nag-iisa ang chairman para makapag-rekomenda ng kaso (It is not an obstacle that only the chair remains for recommending cases),” she said.

Castro said a quorum is not required for the ICI to recommend cases, as its mandate at this stage is recommendatory rather than adjudicatory.

Asked why no new commissioners have been appointed following the departure of Rogelio Singson and Rossana Fajardo, Castro said the matter rests solely with the President and declined to speculate.

She said the absence of replacements does not mean investigations have stalled.

Castro likewise pointed out that the ICI is not the only body probing alleged flood control anomalies, as investigations are also being pursued by the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman, ensuring continuity of accountability efforts.

Meanwhile, Castro said a bill creating a new independent commission that could expand or institutionalize the ICI’s functions remains a priority measure of the President.

She said this reflects the administration’s commitment to sustained oversight of major infrastructure projects.

However, Castro said she could not speculate if this was the reason why Marcos has yet to appoint new ICI commissioners.