The agency will lead the investigations into the anomalous flood control projects.
In a statement on Saturday, September 13, Malacañang Palace said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has designated the two members of the newly formed Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
They are former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson and SGV and Co. Country Managing Partner Rossana Fajardo.
Singson served as head of the DPWH from 2010 to 2016, under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III and as the head of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) from 1998 to 2002.
Meanwhile, Fajardo has over three decades of experience in auditing internal controls and risk management, and serves her current capacity in SGV and Co., the Philippines’ largest professional services firm.
In addition, the President also named Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong as Special Adviser, who will act as the commission’s investigator
Magalong has handled sensitive, high-impact investigations and helped lead institutional reforms in law enforcement during his time as Deputy Director General of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Director of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).
Under Executive Order No. 94 issued on September 11, President Marcos created the ICI to investigate and recommend appropriate charges against government officials, employees, or individuals involved in anomalies in flood control and related projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) within the last 10 years.
“To lead this task, the President has appointed individuals of proven competence, integrity, and deep familiarity with infrastructure, finance, and institutional reform,” said Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.
Castro said President Marcos himself will announce the chairperson of the ICI in the coming days.
The newly created Independent Commission for Infrastructure shall then immediately begin investigating anomalous flood control.
“The commission will begin its work immediately,” added Castro.
Despite not having a set timeframe, Castro hopes that the team will be able to finish their job in a few months.
“Wala pong masasabi agad na timeline. Ang pinaka-timeline dito ay mas agaran o mas mabilisang pagtatrabaho. At mas mainam po matapos po ito sa loob lamang ng ilang buwan,” Castro said.
Although, she noted that time should be given to them to study and sift through pieces of evidence and other documents.
“Pero sabi nga po natin, sa dami po ng records na dapat aralin ay bigyan po natin ng pagkakataon ang ICI na aralin lahat ang mga dokumento para po kapag po may sinampahang kaso ay kumpleto naman po ang mga dokumento,” added the Palace Press Officer.