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EJ Macababbad - The Philippine Star
December 12, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) can continue fulfilling its mandate for at least two years, regardless of the challenges faced by the fact-finding body, according to its executive director.
ICI chairman Andres Reyes Jr. on Wednesday mentioned a two-year timespan for the commission, created by President Marcos to investigate anomalous infrastructure projects over the past 10 years.
“The sheer volume itself is huge, so, definitely, maybe that’s where Reyes is coming from when he said two years,” ICI executive director Brian Keith Hosaka told The STAR’s online show “Truth on the Line” on Thursday, adding, “It can even be longer.”
Hosaka said the commission’s different working parts are now beginning to function. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has already downloaded P39 million of the ICI’s P41-million budget, enabling the commission to pay staffers who have been working without wages since September.
The funding, which is only good until the end of 2025, will also pave the way for the hiring process to commence—a crucial component given the thousands of documents that the commission needs to scour.
“We want to hire as many lawyers, accountants, and even engineers as possible so that we can complete our staff,” Hosaka said. “The more we complete our staff, the better for our operations and efficiency.”
Hosaka said he will consult with the Governance Commission on the 2026 budget and other administrative matters, which require approval from the DBM.
At a House technical working group meeting, the executive director said the ICI needs about P500 million each year to run its operations on full gear, including deploying validators in far-flung areas, which ultimately entails costs.
Since its creation in mid-September, the ICI has been zeroing in on 421 ghost flood control projects it considers “low-hanging fruit” in the corruption probe.
It further narrowed its target to about 80 projects awarded to the top 15 contractors that bagged the most flood deals nationwide.
Fajardo quitting?
But two original members of the commission chipped away just three months after its inception.
First was ICI special adviser and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, whose tussle with the Palace left him insulted.
Then there was ICI commissioner Rogelio Singson, who admitted that his 77-year-old body could not manage the stress of investigating thousands of anomalous public works.
Magalong has been replaced by former police chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr., who has proven himself an asset in coordinating with his comrades at the Philippine National Police.
“It’s a big thing that Azurin has networks with the CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) and contacts with the PNP,” Hosaka said. “That’s why coordination with the police becomes smooth.”
Hosaka hopes that President Marcos will appoint an engineer to replace Singson as the ICI moves from examining ghost to substandard projects.
“We’re not even going to the nitty-gritty of substandard works. Are the steel and cement used correct? Those are the things that an engineer would be able to help the commission with,” he said.
“Maybe if there’s someone to replace Singson, it would be good if we have the technical knowledge and, at the same time, institutional knowledge of the DPWH similar to his,” he added.
Cabral subpoenaed
Meanwhile, the ICI has summoned, among others, resigned DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral on Dec. 15, the last day the commission will hear testimonies for now.
It also coincides with the last day of Singson as ICI commissioner, with no indication that he will extend until Dec. 31.
Cabral has featured prominently in several ICI interim reports, having been recommended by the commission for administrative charges of grave misconduct and gross dishonesty, along with former DPWH top brass, over anomalous flood works.
In the most recent interim report, the ICI found that Cabral and former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan had direct supervision of questionable insertions from the very beginning of the budget process.
Cabral, according to the ICI, took care of her own allocations, while Bonoan’s were handled by former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.
Hosaka did not disclose why the ICI subpoenaed Cabral, but he said that “there is information that the commission would want to get from her.”
Cabral resigned in September.
After Dec. 15, the ICI will focus on case build-up, scouring thousands of documents turned over by the PNP. Hosaka has no definitive number for how many more referrals the ICI will make before the Ombudsman, but he explained that once there is enough evidence for a particular case, the commission can refer it already.
As to private citizens submitting complaints, the ICI will have to assess their veracity and completeness before taking action.
“We accept them for whatever it’s worth, but we have to verify it,” he said at a press briefing on Thursday.
And the probe on anomalous infrastructure projects would persist despite contractor Sarah Discaya surrendering to the National Bureau of Investigation.
“The problem is not only attached to the Discayas. There are a lot more. We will continue our investigation regardless of who the personalities are,” Hosaka said.
For now, the ICI is thankful that Discaya has turned herself in and the passport of resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co has been canceled.
Asked about these developments, ICI chairperson Reyes said on Wednesday: “We’re being blessed by God.”
With President Marcos speeding up Congress to deliberate bills creating an independent commission with more teeth, Hosaka expressed a preference for the powers listed in the House’s version.
From a lawyer’s perspective, he said, the proposed Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption has the authority to hold witnesses in contempt, issue hold-departure orders, cancel passports and seize assets. Commission members are also immune from lawsuits to prevent harassment.
