Vice President Sara Duterte has questioned the rationale behind the establishment of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), suggesting that the Marcos administration created it merely to “control the narrative” surrounding corruption allegations in public works projects.
In a statement on Saturday, October 18, Duterte said the ICI was designed to produce an “official version” of corruption stories that would favor the administration’s messaging.
“Nagbukas sila ng ICI para kung ano man yung report ng ICI, yun na yung official na kwento ng nangyaring korapsyon, at yun na yung ifefeed nila sa tao… Paniwala ko, nile-legitimize nila yung kwento na gusto nila lumabas,” she said.
The ICI, formed through an executive order issued in September, is currently investigating alleged irregularities in flood control and infrastructure projects over the past decade to determine accountability among public officials.
Duterte argued that the Office of the President already has the necessary resources to conduct case build-ups without forming a separate body.
“Napakadali naman noon eh, ilang bilyon ang confidential funds ng Office of the President… Pero bakit kailangan pa niya magbukas pa ng ICI, ng komisyon?” she questioned.
The Vice President also claimed that former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Bong Go are being linked to the corruption issue as part of an effort to damage their reputations—and indirectly, her own—in anticipation of the 2028 presidential elections.
“Pag tinagpi-tagpi natin, yun yung ginagawa nilang pag-atake… gusto lang din noon na matamaan ako dahil paniwala nila isa ako sa mga kandidato sa pagkapangulo sa 2028,” she added.
In response, Malacañang through Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro criticized Duterte’s remarks, questioning whether she fears being implicated in the ICI investigation.
“Kaawa-awa ang mga taong parte ng gobyerno pero hindi nakakatulong sa gobyerno at sa bayan… May kinatatakutan ba siyang mabunyag sa ginagawang pag-iimbestiga kaya pilit niyang sinisiraan ng integridad ng ICI?” Castro said.
She emphasized that the commission’s members are non-political experts with integrity and professionalism.
“Tandaan natin, ang mga miyembro po ng ICI ay puro experts at may integridad at wala nang politiko rito,” she added.