ICI Spox Speaks on Order of the Office of Pres. Bongbong Marcos over its Budget for Flood Control Probe
BONGBONG MARCOS – The Office of the President ordered the release of the P41.4 million budget for the Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI.
Amid the flood control mess in the Philippines, Marcos Jr. ordered the creation of an independent body that will investigate the supposed flood control corruption. His order led to the formation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure or more popularly called ICI.
The ICI is led by former Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr. Amid the anger of countless Filipinos on the supposed multi-billion flood control corruption, Reyes promised that “justice will not be delayed this time”. They have already sent a recommendation to the Office of the Ombudsman for the filing of the charges against certain individuals.
Ombudsman Boying Remulla also previously confirmed that the first batch of the flood control charges will be filed this month. According to him, up to 15 government officials might be facing raps. However, he refused to categorically answer if there are senators who will be charged in the issue.
Previously, amid the flood control investigation, ICI Brian Hosaka claimed that the commission is operating on a contingency fund only as their budget has yet to be approved. Meanwhile, he assured that they are doing their best on the flood control probe despite the limitations.
Recently, Hosaka confirmed that the office of Pres. Bongbong Marcos has approved the release of the budget for the Independent Commission for Infrastructure. Based on a post of Inquirer on social media, the ICI is set to be given an exact operating budget amounting to P41,481,000. It is an initial budget allocation for this year.
Based on the post, the ICI Spox also expressed that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has also approved the staffing pattern of the commission. Furthermore, the DBM also gave the creation of 172 contractual positions within the commission a green light.
Based on the ICI investigation, Zaldy Co allegedly pocketed P21 billion in the flood control scam. The resigned House member has yet to return to the Philippines amid the calls for him to come back and face the allegations against him.