President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order (EO) No. 94 on Thursday, September 11, formally establishing the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to investigate allegations of corruption, irregularities, and misuse of public funds in government flood control projects and related infrastructure programs over the past decade.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the move comes amid growing concerns over the scale of anomalies linked to multibillion-peso flood control projects across the country. The ICI is envisioned as a body that will operate with integrity, impartiality, and transparency.
Under EO 94, the commission will be composed of a chairperson and two members who must demonstrate proven competence, honesty, integrity, and independence. Supporting them will be a secretariat led by an executive director with the rank of undersecretary, tasked with providing administrative and technical assistance.
The ICI is mandated to investigate, receive, gather, and evaluate evidence, intelligence reports, and information concerning possible corruption and mismanagement in government infrastructure projects, particularly flood control initiatives. To fulfill its role, the commission has been granted authority to conduct hearings, summon witnesses, and issue subpoenas to secure essential documents.
The EO also empowers the commission to recommend the inclusion of key witnesses in the Witness Protection Program, or, where necessary, endorse individuals for state witness status before the Department of Justice (DOJ). In addition, the ICI may request pertinent documents and records from Congress that are relevant to its inquiries.
Should investigations reveal wrongdoing, the commission has the authority to recommend the filing of criminal, civil, or administrative charges before appropriate agencies, including the Office of the Ombudsman, DOJ, and Civil Service Commission. It may also propose corrective measures and legislative reforms aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in infrastructure programs.
The commission’s priority will be to review flood control projects implemented over the last ten years, a period marked by large-scale spending and reports of questionable contracts.
As mandated, the ICI will provide monthly updates to the Office of the President through the Office of the Executive Secretary. Its reports and accomplishments will also be made available to the public to ensure transparency.
Observers note that the creation of the ICI signals a stronger stance by the Marcos administration against corruption, particularly in high-value projects that directly impact public safety and disaster preparedness.