WITHIN 48 hours after the President announced that an independent commission will be established, Executive Order No. 94 was signed and released today, September 11.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) as a fact-finding body mandated to investigate alleged corruption, irregularities, and misuse of funds in government flood control and related projects within the last 10 years, amid mounting concerns that have eroded public trust.
The President said that the move is in line with his administration’s commitment to uphold honesty and integrity in public service, consistent with the constitutional mandate that public office is a public trust.
“The Administration is firmly committed to maintaining honesty and integrity in public service, and will take decisive measures to repress and hold accountable government officials and employees, and any other individual, who engage in graft, corrupt practices, or other acts that undermine the national interest and betray the people’s trust,” the President said in a six-page EO.
Under the EO, the ICI will be composed of a Chairperson and two Members “of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.” A Secretariat headed by an Executive Director with the rank of Undersecretary will provide administrative and technical support.
The EO stated that ICI is mandated to investigate, receive, gather, and evaluate evidence, intelligence reports, and information on irregularities in government flood control and infrastructure projects.
The ICI is also tasked to conduct hearings, take testimony, and issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and production of documents necessary for its investigations.
President Marcos earlier said the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website has logged more than 12,000 complaints against flood control and related projects in less than a month since the website was activated last August 11.
According to the EO, the independent commission shall also recommend admission of witnesses into the Witness Protection Program under Republic Act No. 6981 and, when necessary, endorse individuals for state witness status before the Department of Justice.
The ICI is also mandated to secure documents and information from Congress relevant to its investigations.
The ICI shall also recommend the filing of appropriate criminal, civil, or administrative cases before the Office of the Ombudsman, the DOJ, the Civil Service Commission (CSC), and other competent bodies, and propose corrective actions and legislative measures to enhance transparency and accountability in infrastructure programs.
The Commission will prioritize the investigation of flood control projects undertaken within the last ten years.
President Marcos emphasized that the establishment of the ICI is a decisive step to ensure accountability in public works.
To ensure transparency, the ICI is also required to submit regular updates. “The ICI shall provide monthly reports to the Office of the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary. The ICI shall likewise cause the publication of its accomplishments and such other relevant reports,” the EO added.
Funding for the commission’s operations will be sourced initially by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and thereafter included in the annual budget.
“The effective implementation of government flood control and related projects is vital to safeguarding the lives, property, and welfare of the Filipino people, who have repeatedly suffered from the devastating impacts of natural calamities and disasters,” the EO said.
The ICI will remain in operation until its mandate has been accomplished or unless sooner dissolved by the President.
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