Marcos Previews ICI Commission's Sundown: What's Next?

MANILA, Philippines — Just four months after its formation on his very orders, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) work was “coming toward the end.” Speaking to reporters on Friday, January 16, the President tried — albeit barely — to keep vague on the once-vaunted commission’s fate. “Well, it depends on how much work they still have left. Kung matapos na yung trabaho nila, then we will see what they can do next. But they really are coming toward the end — lahat ng kailangang imbestigahan, naimbestigahan na nila,” he said. (If their work is done, then we will see what they can do next. But they really are coming toward the end — everything that needs to be investigated, they’ve investigated.) Added Marcos: “Maybe there are one or two other loose ends that they have to clear up.” The ICI is an ad hoc body that Marcos created through an executive order in September 2025, amid revelation after revelation of widespread corruption tied to government flood-control and other infrasstructure projects. Initially, its creation was cautiously hailed and welcomed — because while its mandate was to probe government infrastructure projects over the past decade, its powers were limited in compelling persons, whether government officials or private contractors, to cooperate with or submit themselves to investigation. Before the year’s end, the number of its commissioners was wittled down from three to just one, with decorated accountant and auditor Rossana Fajardo and former public works chief Rogelio “Babes” Singson resigning. Currently, former Supreme Court justice Andres Reyes Jr. is chair to a one-man commission composed solely of himself. Marcos was non-commital when asked if he would be appointing new members to the body. “We haven’t really decided on that yet. Again, it all depends on the work that ICI still has in front of them. Pag kailangan pa (If they need commissioners), then we will,” he said. But “if the work is done,” said Marcos — in that information from the ICI is now with the justice department and the Ombudsman — then the investigation takes place there. The Independent People’s Commission Act which would create a permanent version of the ICI, is among the measures Marcos wants the ally-dominated 20th Congress to prioritize once session resumes on January 26. But is the ICI’s work really done? Far from it, based on Rappler’s research. Marcos, in November 2025, publicly announced that he had instructed the ICI and the public works department to turn over information on at least two prominent lawmakers, former House speaker Martin Romualdez and former appropriations chair Zaldy Co, to the Ombudsman. Romualdez is Marcos’ cousin and close political ally and friend, while Co is a former Marcos ally who has since turned into his accuser. There is a standing warrant for Co, who is out of the country and is still being located by Philippine authorities. Marcos would not be the first person to speak, in clear or coded language, of the ICI’s looming demise. Former justice chief and close ally Ombudsman Boying Remulla said in December 2025 that the ICI only had a month or two left. The President’s estranged sister Senator Imee Marcos said the ICI would be done by February 1.