Commissioner Rossana Fajardo will step down from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) effective December 31, marking another high-profile departure that has intensified scrutiny over the body’s limited fact-finding authority.
In a December 26 statement, Fajardo framed her resignation as the completion of a defined mandate, citing months spent building investigative frameworks, supervising volunteer-led probes, and drafting reform proposals.
“Since my appointment in September 2025, I have been committed to advancing the Commission’s objectives, particularly in the areas of financial oversight and infrastructure project investigations,” she said.
She said these efforts led to recommendations aimed at improving government procurement processes and budgeting for infrastructure projects.
“I have completed the work I set out to accomplish when I was appointed, ensuring that the foundational goals of the Commission have been met,” she added.
Fajardo’s exit follows the earlier resignations of Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong as special adviser and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson as commission member, developments that have sharpened questions about the ICI’s mandate and effectiveness.
Acknowledging the Commission’s constraints, Fajardo said accountability efforts should now be carried forward by institutions with prosecutorial powers.
“I believe that the investigative and prosecutorial responsibilities will now transition to other agencies, such as the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman, which are better positioned to ensure accountability for contractors and government officials,” she said.
She also voiced support for pending legislation that would establish a permanent anti-corruption body.
With Congress prioritizing measures to create the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICAIC) and the Independent People’s Commission (IPC), Fajardo said “a permanent Commission with enhanced powers will be more effective in supporting the Ombudsman’s office in prosecuting parties involved in irregular government infrastructure projects.”
Expressing gratitude for her time at the ICI, Fajardo said she was thankful “for the opportunity to contribute to a collective mission that prioritizes the welfare of our citizens.”
“It has been a profound honor to serve alongside individuals who are deeply committed to transparency and accountability,” she said.