President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said the newly-created Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) will meet daily to fast-track its probe into anomalous flood control projects, stressing that public complaints must be acted on swiftly before the information goes stale.

In a Malacanang briefing, Marcos announced the formal organization of the ICI, headed by retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes, with former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and SGV & Co. managing partner Rossana Fajardo as members.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong was also tapped as special adviser who will act as investigator into questionable flood control projects.

The President said the commission agreed to move very quickly.

“I’m very encouraged because noong nakausap ko sila, all of them are in agreement that we have to move very quickly and we have to get something done as quickly as possible,” the Chief Executive said.

“Hindi puwedeng mapanis lahat itong information na binigay ng taumbayan doon sa ‘Isumbong Mo sa Pangulo.’ Kaya’t sabi namin, eh bilisan na lang talaga ninyo,” Marcos added.

The ICI has been granted subpoena powers to call witnesses and gather documents but will not exercise contempt powers, as it is designed to be an investigative, not a prosecutorial, body. The findings will be forwarded to the Ombudsman, Department of Justice, or Civil Service Commission for appropriate action.

The President underscored that the Palace will not interfere with the Commission’s work, highlighting its independence.

Marcos created the ICI to look into irregularities in flood control and other infrastructure projects within the last 10 years in order to hold accountable all liable parties for misuse of public funds.

During the press conference, the President explained why he ordered the scope of the ICI investigation to cover flood control and related projects over the last 10 years.

“(The) answer is two-fold. The practical answer is this: COA (Commission on Audit) is only required to keep records for ten years. So, those are the records that we know we have na nakakasiguro tayo na matutulungan iyon,” said the President.

The second reason, the President added, is to determine how the systemic corruption started.

“Pangalawa doon, kaya we’ll do it for as long as possible dahil marami na tayong napag-usapan at isa sa napakahalaga para sa akin ay malaman paano tayo napunta sa ganito? Bakit nagkaganito iyong gobyerno natin? Papaano nangyari ito na ganito iyong naging bidding? Papaano nangyari na ganito ang naging pagbigay ng kontrata? How did this evolve?” said President Marcos. Presidential News Desk