Rogelio “Babes” Singson (Photo by Avito C. Dalan / Philippine News Agency / public domain)
Rogelio “Babes” Singson has stepped down from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, citing health reasons as the body continues probes into alleged flood control irregularities.
MANILA – The Independent Commission for Infrastructure has confirmed that Rogelio “Babes” Singson has stepped down from his role as commissioner, marking the departure of one of the country’s most experienced infrastructure executives from the panel tasked with examining alleged irregularities in flood control spending.
ICI chairperson retired Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr. announced the resignation on Wednesday, December 3, and said it will take effect on December 15. He added that Singson may stay briefly to complete limited administrative work tied to the handover.
Reyes said Singson informed the commission that the intensity of the workload had taken a toll on his health. According to Reyes, Singson described the work as very demanding and said it had strained his aging body. Reyes emphasized that the decision was personal and that there was no indication of external pressure or conflict within the commission.
Singson, who previously served as secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, joined the ICI in September following the creation of the body through Executive Order No. 94. The order, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on September 11, 2025, mandates the commission to investigate alleged irregularities, misuse of public funds and weaknesses in planning and implementation of flood control and other infrastructure projects. It also authorizes the ICI to recommend cases to the Office of the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice and other investigative agencies.
Before joining the commission, Singson held senior executive roles in the Metro Pacific group, including leadership positions in Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. and Metro Pacific Water. His appointment to the ICI was viewed as adding technical expertise and institutional depth at a time when the government sought a comprehensive review of politically sensitive infrastructure allocations.
The commission is operating as multiple agencies process complaints involving allegedly substandard or non-implemented flood control projects. The ICI has supported the referral of case records to the Office of the Ombudsman and has coordinated with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on validation of project sites and procurement documentation. Officials have stated that these referrals stem from findings flagged in audit reports, sworn complaints and field validation, not from conclusions drawn by the commission alone.
Reyes said the departure of Singson will not slow the commission’s work. He said the remaining members will continue ongoing inquiries and that guidance from the Office of the President will determine whether a replacement commissioner will be appointed. Under Executive Order No. 94, the ICI is required to submit monthly reports to the Office of the President and to make public its accomplishments and other relevant updates.
The commission is expected to continue its review of flood control programs across several regions as agencies move forward with parallel administrative and criminal investigations.
