ICI to end operations at end of month
Published Mar 13, 2026 01:02 pm
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is ending its operations at the end of the month as its chairman, retired Supreme Court associate justice Andres Reyes Jr., believes its mandate has already been fulfilled.
In a statement, Reyes, the only remaining member of the ICI, said he is recommending "that the ICI wind down its operations," citing achievements it had made in the past six months.
Of the dozens of personalities linked to the multimillion-peso corruption scandal that hit the nation, only a handful has landed in detention, particularly contractors and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineers.
"The Commission will remain operational until March 31, 2026, to complete the necessary administrative processes related to its wind-down," he added.
Before the announcement, ICI turned over to the Office of the Ombudsman all documents, evidence, and findings gathered in the course of its investigation.
"The Commission will also provide and submit to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) the same documents and files it has turned over to the OMB for their records, review, and guidance," Reyes said.
As the country still awaits the government's action on the result of ICI's probe, Reyes believed "the Commission has fulfilled its mandate under Executive Order No. 94, and that the work initiated by the ICI is now properly situated to be carried forward by the agencies established by law."
Citing ICI's achievements, Reyes said the body submitted nine referrals covering 65 individuals to the OMB as well as initiated efforts for asset recovery.
It has also initiated the development of three information systems designed to detect fraud and other irregularities in infrastructure projects, according to Reyes.
"While these represent only the initial phase of a much broader investigative and restitution effort, these accomplishments demonstrate that, with strong inter-agency coordination, proper investigations can be conducted which could ultimately lead to the successful prosecution of those responsible and the recovery of stolen public funds," he added.
Suggestions
Aside from referrals, Reyes made suggestions to improve the system and address loopholes that might have resulted again in the massive corruption.
"I call on the Technical Working Group for Asset Recovery to continue its restitution efforts based on the guidance provided by the Commission," he said.
Reyes said he was also glad that Malacañang demanded to prioritize the pending Senate and House bills that proposed the establishment of the Independent Peoples’ Commission and the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption.
"I hope that Congress will promptly act on these bills," he said.
"I likewise urge government institutions involved in the implementation and oversight of infrastructure projects to act on the Commission’s recommendations for their respective offices to improve transparency, strengthen controls, enhance coordination, reinforce accountability, and prevent the recurrence of infrastructure-related irregularities,'" he added.
Reyes asked the Filipino people to remain vigilant and steadfast in ensuring that those responsible are held accountable and brought to justice.
"May we always remember that crime does not, and should never, pay. No one is, and should ever be, above the law," he said.