The House Committee on Government Reorganization has given the green light to a substitute bill that reinforces the powers of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), originally created by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to investigate irregularities in government infrastructure projects.
Now rebranded as the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICAIC), the measure harmonizes House Bill No. 4453, authored by Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima and her allies, and House Bill No. 5699, filed by Navotas City Lone District Rep. Toby Tiangco.
As stated in the bill, the ICAIC will be composed of five members—none of whom may be incumbent government officials.
The chairperson must be a retired Supreme Court justice, while the rest will include an engineer or architect with at least 20 years of experience, a CPA with no less than 20 years of practice, a representative from the academe, and one from a reputable non-government organization.
Their term will last until December 31, 2028, unless revoked earlier.
The commission will have broad authority: motu proprio investigations, full access to government records, issuance of subpoena duces tecum and subpoena ad testificandum, hold departure orders, and the power to freeze, recover, and sequester properties tied to fund misuse.
It may also order the preventive suspension of officials under investigation. Violators found in contempt may face up to 30 days imprisonment and/or a fine of up to ₱100,000.
All hearings will be open to the public, livestreamed, and shielded from lower court interference—only the Supreme Court may issue TROs or injunctions. Funding will be sourced from the current and future General Appropriations Act.
The bill further states that no criminal or civil action may be filed against ICAIC members for acts performed in the course of their official duties.