President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. affirmed that the government will bankroll the work of the newly formed Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), even as the body continues to operate without a permanent budget or staff.
The ICI, created under Executive Order No. 94 in September, is tasked to investigate alleged irregular public works projects carried out over the past decade and has authority to subpoena witnesses, conduct hearings, and recommend asset seizures linked to questionable deals.
Speaking to reporters in Busan on November 1, Marcos acknowledged the commission was still waiting for the budget department’s approval but vowed support. “They have no funding for the things they want to do because it’s something new,” he said. “But as I said, we’re committed to make sure that they can, to fund their investigation, to make sure that everything that they want to do with the investigation, they can do, equipment that they need, all of that.”
Marcos added that the commission’s budget requirements continue to evolve as it builds research, investigative, and forensic accounting units.
ICI defends executive order
ICI executive director Brian Keith Hosaka defended the legality of the commission after a high school teacher filed a Supreme Court petition questioning EO 94’s constitutionality. “I believe that the executive order was passed to the scrutiny of the lawyers before it was drafted and eventually signed by the President,” Hosaka said on November 3. “So, as far as being confident, I believe it is lawful and it is within the powers of the President to create the ICI.”
The petition cited the Supreme Court’s ruling striking down former president Benigno Aquino III’s Philippine Truth Commission in 2010 for violating equal-protection principles.
DOJ subpoenas former Bulacan officials
The Department of Justice has begun its parallel investigation into alleged corruption in flood control projects. Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon confirmed subpoenas were issued to former officials of the Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office and partner-contractors, with the first hearing scheduled on November 10. DOJ officer-in-charge Fredderick Vida said these involve the first five cases endorsed by the Ombudsman, noting, “Soon there will be more.”
ICI interim report details alleged kickback scheme
An interim ICI report detailed relationships among former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, contractors, and resigned lawmaker Elizaldy Co. The report outlined how ex-DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo allegedly helped elevate Henry Alcantara to head Bulacan’s 1st district engineering office, before Alcantara and his deputy Brice Hernandez later met Co and agreed on a “25 percent ‘SOP’ per project.”
The commission said cash allegedly flowed in suitcases and car parks, with contractors required to advance payments tied to budget cycles. The district reportedly secured P6.86 billion in public works funding from 2022 to 2025.
Separate complaint filed in La Union
In a related move, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon filed graft complaints against 11 engineers from La Union’s 2nd district engineering office over suspected anomalies in flood control works along rivers in Bauang and Naguilian. Benguet Rep. Eric Yap was also linked to the complaint for alleged ties to a contractor.
House Speaker Faustino Dy III has pushed for swift approval of a bill creating a permanent commission to investigate infrastructure corruption, with a final vote targeted for November 17.
