Palace: No talks yet on ICI replacements

December 29, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — There have been no discussions so far on who will take the place of the resigned members of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), as Malacañang awaits the passage of a bill creating another body that will probe corruption in state projects.

Formed by President Marcos in September to investigate corruption in infrastructure projects carried out in the last 10 years, the ICI has become a one-member body following the resignation of its two commissioners this month.

Former public works secretary Rogelio Singson quit for health reasons, citing the “very intense” and “stressful” work of the commission, while Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co. country managing partner Rossana Fajardo resigned because she felt she had completed the work she set out to accomplish.

The resignations left ICI chairman and retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr. as the sole commissioner, although former police chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. and lawyer Brian Keith Hosaka continue to serve as special adviser and executive director, respectively.

“For now, there have been no discussions on whether there would be replacements because we are looking at a possible law that may be passed with regard to an independent commission,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told radio dzBB yesterday.

Castro was referring to the bill seeking to establish the Independent People’s Commission (IPC) to intensify the efforts against irregularities in government infrastructure.

Marcos recently added the bill to his list of legislative priorities, along with the measures banning political dynasties, and reforming the party-list system and the proposed Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability Act.

Castro reiterated that Marcos does not want an overlap of the jurisdictions among the ombudsman, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the proposed anti-corruption commission. 

“There’s no discussion (about new ICI appointees) because we’re waiting for the law creating the independent commission. At the same time, Ombudsman and DOJ are there. They are quick to conduct investigations of the flood control projects,” she said.

Prior to the resignation of Singson and Fajardo and just weeks after the creation of the ICI, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong stepped down as special adviser of the commission, saying Malacañang’s pronouncements about his designation ran contrary to the terms of his appointment and have “undermined” the role and mandate entrusted to him.

Magalong later said that Malacañang’s statement that his appointment as ICI special adviser and investigator was under legal review had sent him a “clear message” to stand down.

Some lawmakers have expressed concerns over the resignation of the ICI members, with members of the Makabayan bloc labeling the body a “lost cause.”

The bloc also claimed that the ICI has exposed what it described as the “empty anti-corruption rhetoric” of the Marcos administration.

Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said the resignation of Fajardo “can very well be the end of ICI.”

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