From left: Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, who expects the ICI to finish its mandate within one to two months; Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who supports creating a legislated successor; and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, principal sponsor of Senate Bill 1512 establishing the proposed Independent People’s Commission. – Photos courtesy of the Office of the Ombudsman (Remulla) and the Senate of the Philippines (Sotto and Pangilinan).
Ombudsman Remulla expects the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to complete its work within two months as the Senate advances a legislated Independent People’s Commission with stronger investigative authority and a longer mandate.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla expects the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to conclude its work within one to two months as lawmakers move to create a legislated Independent People’s Commission (IPC) that would assume broader investigative authority and a longer mandate.
The transition signals a significant restructuring of the government’s approach to corruption allegations in flood control and public works spending.
Ombudsman: ICI nearing the end of its mandate
Remulla said he anticipates a full turnover of the ICI’s case files to his office and the Department of Justice early next year. He emphasized that the ICI operates only as a fact-finding body under Executive Order 94 and must hand off its work to agencies with prosecutorial authority once its investigations conclude.
He said his office plans to hire additional lawyers to manage the volume of documents expected from the commission. Remulla added that some individuals linked to alleged irregularities could face charges if prosecutors find sufficient evidence. All allegations remain unproven, and no court has issued findings of guilt in relation to any ICI referral.
ICI spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka said the commission intends to continue working “until it completes its mandate or until the President dissolves it.”
Why the ICI’s lifespan is limited
The ICI operates under structural limits that guarantee a short lifespan, regardless of the scale or complexity of the cases it has uncovered.
Executive Order 94 created the commission as an emergency, ad hoc body to address reports of irregularities in flood control and public works projects. Its authority extends only to collecting information and recommending cases to the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice.
The commission holds no subpoena power, contempt authority, asset-freeze capacity or prosecutorial mandate. Its role ends once it submits its recommendations. Remulla underscored that reality when he said the ICI may have only one to two months left before transferring its case files for evaluation and potential prosecution.
Lawmakers reached the same conclusion. Senators are advancing Senate Bill 1512, which creates the Independent People’s Commission, a legislated watchdog designed to replace the ICI.
The proposed IPC would hold subpoena power, authority to cite witnesses in contempt, access to government records and the capacity to recommend freezing assets and imposing preventive suspensions. Its mandate would run through June 30, 2028, giving it the operational depth the ICI lacks.
Internal events reinforced the limitations of the commission. Former public works secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson resigned as commissioner after citing concerns about limited authority and delayed operational support. Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong stepped down earlier as adviser. Their departures highlighted the tension between the urgency of the investigations and the narrow framework of the temporary commission.
For these reasons – the legal foundation, finite mandate, lack of enforcement powers, the impending creation of a legislated successor and internal strain – the ICI’s lifespan remains inherently limited.
ICI continues referrals as it prepares for transition
Even as its mandate approaches completion, the ICI continues to transmit high-profile case referrals:
- A recent referral recommended charges involving House Speaker Martin Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co and several officials.
- Another referral recommended plunder and related offenses involving former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and sought additional case development involving Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero.
All individuals named in referrals deny wrongdoing. The recommendations remain subject to review by the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice, and no judicial findings have been issued on these matters.
Malacañang confirmed that the ICI received a ₱41-million allocation for 2025. The Department of Budget and Management released the funds in September, and the commission now holds authority to fill 172 plantilla positions.
Senate pushes a stronger Independent People’s Commission
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan lead the push for Senate Bill 1512. The proposed IPC would consist of five members: a retired Supreme Court justice as chair, a certified public accountant, an engineer or architect, a governance expert and a representative from civil society.
The IPC would investigate irregularities across national agencies, local governments and government-owned or -controlled corporations, and may examine private contractors and suppliers that participate in public works.
Sixteen senators signed the committee report endorsing the bill. Pangilinan said Congress could pass the measure before year-end if the President certifies it as urgent. Sotto said he wants the commission to scrutinize sectors vulnerable to systemic irregularities, including agriculture, irrigation and taxation.
After the ICI: The agencies that take over the probe
If the ICI concludes its work early next year:
- The Ombudsman will evaluate administrative and criminal referrals.
- The Department of Justice will determine which cases may proceed to prosecution.
- The Department of Public Works and Highways will conduct internal administrative reviews where applicable.
- The proposed Independent People’s Commission, once enacted into law, will assume long-term investigative authority.
The ICI continues consolidating field reports and preparing case files while lawmakers finalize the government’s next phase of anti-corruption oversight.
