Malacañang said it is up to the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to decide whether to release the final report of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to the public.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after lawmakers called for the full disclosure of the ICI report, which wrapped up its operations on March 31.

In her press briefing on Monday, April 6, Castro said the Palace, out of respect to the two bodies, will defer to the discretion of the Ombudsman and the DOJ, where the report has already been submitted.

“Nasa DOJ na po iyan, nasa discretion po nila iyan (It is already with the DOJ, and it is under their discretion),” she said.

Castro added that the Office of the President will not intervene in the matter out of respect for institutional independence.

“Hindi po (No),” she said when asked if the President would direct its disclosure.

She emphasized that the Ombudsman is an independent body, while the DOJ has its own discretion on the matter.

The Palace official said the ICI has already submitted its accomplishment report in compliance with Executive Order 94.

“At sa ating pagkakaalam ay nagbigay naman sila ng accomplishment report (To our knowledge, they have already submitted an accomplishment report),” she said.

Castro also responded to the remarks of some lawmakers, including presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos, who said that the full release of the ICI’s final report is the “only way” for the ICI and the administration to “redeem themselves from the dismal handling of the flood control mess.”

In her press briefing, Castro questioned the consistency of critics, particularly on corruption issues raised in previous administrations.

“Kung ang isang tao ay talagang laban sa korapsiyon, sana consistent… hindi lamang sa panahon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. kundi nakaraang administrasyon (If one is truly against corruption, they should be consistent… not only now but also in the previous administration),” she said.

Castro said alleged “ghost projects” dating back to 2020 were not subjected to extensive investigation at the time.

She noted that it was only under the current administration that a probe into such issues was ordered.

“Ang Pangulong Marcos lamang… ang siyang nag-utos na imbestigahan ang kalat na ito (It was only President Marcos who ordered an investigation into this mess),” she said.

Meanwhile, Castro addressed reports that some ICI personnel have yet to receive their salaries.

She said the budget has already been released to the ICI and is no longer under the Office of the President.

“Nasa kamay na po iyan sa pamumuno po ng ICI (That is already under the leadership of the ICI),” she said.

Castro advised affected personnel to coordinate with ICI leadership regarding their concerns.

She said legal remedies, such as sending a demand letter, may be considered if necessary.

“Pero I doubt na hindi makikipag-ugnayan si Justice Reyes patungkol po diyan. Nandiyan po sa kanila ang budget (But I doubt Justice Reyes won’t coordinate with them regarding that issue. The budget is with them),” Castro said, referring to ICI head former Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes.