ICI enters final phase of work after exit of 2 commissioners

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December 26, 2025 | 10:37am

MANILA, Philippines — As resignations thin its leadership, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure says it is moving ahead with its remaining submissions to the Office of the Ombudsman that it believes will add to the cases prosecutors are already preparing to bring before the courts.

The statement follows the announced resignation today of Commissioner Rossana Fajardo, effective December 31, and the earlier exit of Commissioner and former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson. 

In a statement issued Friday, December 26, ICI Chairperson Andres Reyes Jr. said the resignation of Fajardo comes as the commission reached what he described as a “natural point” in its time-bound mandate to gather evidence and recommend corrective action on anomalous flood control projects. 

Since its creation, the ICI has filed eight referrals and cases with the Office of the Ombudsman, excluding joint referrals with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Reyes said. The cases involve nearly 100 individuals, including senators, congressmen, contractors, current and former DPWH officials and a sitting commissioner of the Commission on Audit. 

Time-bound mandate

The ICI was created with what Reyes called a "clear, time-bound mandate" to gather evidence, establish facts, and propose corrective measures on questionable flood control and infrastructure projects.

Reyes said the commission will now focus on finalizing remaining items for submission to the Ombudsman "in order to strengthen and add to the growing number of cases that will eventually be filed with the courts, and hold those involved accountable."

Reasons for resignation. Fajardo, former country managing partner of auditing firm SGV & Co., said in a statement that she believed investigative and prosecutorial responsibilities should now transition to agencies like the Department of Justice and the Ombudsman. These agencies, for Fajardo, "are better positioned to ensure accountability for contractors and government officials." 

She also cited the pending creation of permanent bodies with enhanced powers — the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption and the Independent People's Commission — as reason for her exit.

Meanwhile, Singson submitted his resignation in mid-November and left the commission on December 15, with Reyes saying the "very intense and stressful ICI work has taken its toll on his aging body."

The former public works secretary insisted no one pressured him to resign, though he admitted the stress and security concerns for his family drove his decision to leave.

The ICI will now enter 2026 with the following remaining core officials: Reyes, Special Adviser Rodolfo Azurin Jr. and Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka.

Arrests, frozen assets

Three cases have already been filed by the Ombudsman with the courts, resulting in the arrests of 16 individuals, including Sarah Discaya, for non-bailable crimes, according to the ICI chair. 

The ICI has also frozen more than P20.3 billion in assets in coordination with the Anti-Money Laundering Council and other agencies. The frozen assets include 6,538 bank accounts, 367 insurance policies, 255 motor vehicles, 178 real properties, 16 e-wallet accounts, three securities accounts, and 11 air assets such as planes and helicopters. 

"The Commission remains fully committed to submitting all its final recommendations and ensuring that the appropriate institutions — particularly the Ombudsman — have everything they need to bring these cases forward," Reyes said.