The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is facing another leadership change as Commissioner Rosanna Fajardo submitted her resignation, effective Dec. 31, following her assessment that the commission’s remaining work should be handled elsewhere.
Fajardo described her decision as a “courtesy resignation,” saying she had already fulfilled the objectives she set when she joined the body. In a statement, she said her work focused on crafting recommendations to strengthen infrastructure-related procurement and budgeting within government.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a collective mission that prioritizes the welfare of our citizens,” she said. “My contributions have led to recommendations aimed at improving government procurement and budgeting processes related to infrastructure projects.”
She added that she believes the commission’s role has reached a point where accountability efforts should shift to agencies with prosecutorial authority. “I believe that [the next phase regarding] the investigative and prosecutorial responsibilities will now transition to other agencies, such as the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman, which are better positioned to ensure accountability for contractors and government officials,” Fajardo said.
Earlier this month, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the ICI could wrap up its work “in a month or two,” reinforcing the view that the commission’s fact-finding phase is nearing completion.
Fajardo, however, said she supports the creation of a permanent and more empowered anti-corruption mechanism, expressing backing for proposals to establish an Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption and an Independent People’s Commission with broader authority.
The ICI was formed through Executive Order No. 94 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sept. 15, creating a three-member body tasked with probing alleged irregularities in major infrastructure projects. According to ICI special adviser Rodolfo Azurin Jr., the commission was designed as an ad hoc entity with a typical lifespan of six months.
Under the same order, the ICI is subject to a sunset clause allowing its dissolution once its objectives are met or earlier if ordered by the President. Its mandate limits it to hearings, testimony-taking, and evidence evaluation, with its findings forwarded to the Office of the Ombudsman for possible charges.
Pending bills in both chambers of Congress seek to create successor bodies with expanded powers, including the authority to issue subpoenas, recommend preventive suspensions, and impose hold-departure orders—functions currently beyond the ICI’s reach.
Fajardo’s resignation comes weeks after former commissioner Rogelio Singson stepped down on Dec. 3, citing health concerns, operational stress, and the commission’s lack of funding at the time. Two days after Singson’s remarks, the Department of Budget and Management released P41 million to fund the ICI’s operations.
