Thirty four business groups in the country, led by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Makati Business Club, urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr for prompt action on the flood control scandal, which they described as ''historic and unprecedented.''

In a statement, they called on the government to ''empower the Independent Commission on Infrastructure with full legal authority and independence to conduct a swift, comprehensive investigation.''

The groups want the government to ''implement institutional reforms and ensure restitution of ill-gotten wealth and embezzeled funds of government.''

Regular reports on the progress of the ICI investigation were also urged.

''We don't want coverup. We don't want railroading (of the investigation) . We really want those responsible to be punished and to be identified,'' said PCCI President Nina Mangio in a televised ambush interview on the sidelines of a business forum.

Businessman Sergio Ortiz-Luis said in a separate televised ambush interview that business groups are starting to feel that nothing is happening.

Marcos exposed this during his State of the Nation Address last July. The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has started investigations even as Marcos formed the ICI to look into this mess.

Malacanang assured the business community that the government under Marcos is actively working to combat corruption while strengthening transparency and accountability within the bureaucracy.

On the call to legislate more power to the ICI, Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos would support moves to provide additional powers to the commission as long as it is for the benefit of the public.

“Mas maganda po talaga na magkaroon ng mas ngipin, pangil ang ICI. Pero sa ngayon po, nakikita naman po natin na maganda ang itinatakbo ng ICI,” the Palace official said.

Thirty one percent say the corruption is the government's most urgent national issue, a survey by OCTA Research said.

In its Sept.25 to 30 survey released on Monday, OCTA said this represents an 18 percentage point increase from its July poll.

OCTA Research head Ranjit Rye said corruption " has never ranked this high''.

Controlling rising prices of goods is the top concern of Filipinos with 48 percent, down from 50 percent. Next came access to affordable food (31 percent), raising wages (27 percent) and cutting poverty (23 percent). DMS