The Independent Commission for Infrastructure's (ICI) fate will depend on their own decision—whether to hire more members, ask for the administration's help, or conclude their investigation, Malacañang said.

President Marcos, in turn, will be listening to whatever the ICI decides, according to Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro.

"Noong tinanong ko po iyan kung papaano po ang mangyayari sa ICI ang sabi ng Pangulo ay independent body ito (When I asked about how matters concerning the ICI would proceed, the President said that it is an independent body)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

"So, kung ano ang kapalaran ng ICI at kung anong pagpapasya ay iyon din po ang magiging katugunan ng Pangulo (So, whatever the fate of the ICI and whatever decision it makes will also be the President’s response)," Castro said.

"So, hayaan po natin ang ICI. Nadinig po nila ang ICI sa sinabi natin ngayon. Ang kapalaran po ng ICI ay nasa pagdedesisyon mismo ng ICI (So, let's leave it to the ICI. They are heard. Their fate rests on their own decision)," Castro stressed.

The Palace official explained that because the ICI is an independent body, the President would abide by their decision.

"Kung sasabihin po rin nila na tapos na ang kanilang obligasyon makikinig po ang Pangulo (If they also say that their obligation is fulfilled, the President would also listen to them)," Castro said.

Castro, however, said that if the ICI needs any help from the Executive, it will be provided.

"Pero kung ano po ang magiging destiny ng ICI, kung ano ang magiging susunod na mga galaw nila, iyan po ay ipinauubaya ng Pangulo sa ICI bilang independent commission (But whatever the destiny of the ICI is, and whatever their next actions may be, the President leaves that to the ICI as an independent commission)," Castro said.

If the ICI, which currently has one remaining commissioner, decides to carry on with their mandate, they are free to communicate it with the President, and they will be supported, Castro added.

She further said that it would be better for the ICI to speak with the President as he "does not want to interfere" with their decisions.

"Mas maganda po siguro kung makikipag-usap silang diretso sa Pangulo kasi po ngayon po ayaw po talagang makialam ng Pangulo sa ginagawa ng ICI kasi independent body po sila. Kung anuman po ang kanilang suhestiyon maaari po nila itong ibigay sa Pangulo (It would probably be better if they speak directly to the President, because at this time, the President really does not want to interfere with what the ICI is doing, since they are an independent body. Whatever suggestions they have, they can submit them to the President)," Castro said.

She further said that at present, "we still do not know if they have already submitted a report."

Through Executive Order (EO) No. 94, Marcos created the ICI which serves as a powerful fact-finding body tasked to investigate corruption and irregularities in flood control and other public works projects.

Under the EO, the ICI will submit monthly reports to the Office of the President through the Executive Secretary and will make public its accomplishments. It will be dissolved once it completes its mandate, unless otherwise ordered by the President.

While Marcos opted to leave the investigation of the massive flood control projects to the ICI and other agencies, Castro said the President remains interested in the probe.

"Definitely interested po siya, kaya  nga niya ito ibinigay ang kapangyarihan sa ICI bilang independent body upang matutukan ang pag-iimbestiga rito. Pati po sa DPWH, hindi po tumitigil ang DPWH na panagutin na ang dapat managot (He is definitely interested, which is why he granted the ICI the authority as an independent body to focus on investigating this. Even the DPWH continues to hold accountable those who should be held responsible)," Castro said.