The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is now effectively on “life support,” burdened with a massive mandate but lacking the authority and resources to fulfill it, according to Akbayan Partylist Representative Perci Cendaña.
In a television interview, Cendaña described the commission’s condition in stark terms, saying, “‘Yung sinabi niyo kanina na naghihingalo that’s a very apt description. Nasa ICU na ang ICI. Naghihingalo dahil pinaggagawa ng isang malaking trabaho pero very limited ‘yung powers at resources na binigay. So talaga namang gagapang sa hirap ‘yung Commission.”
He stressed that the situation could have been avoided had Congress fast-tracked the proposed Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICAIC) bill, which would have granted the ICI stronger powers.
“Kaya nga sinasabi natin kung sinertify as urgent ‘yung ating ICAIC bill—Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption, at binigay ‘yung necessary powers sa ICI, ‘di sana wala tayo sa sitwasyong itong ngayon,” he said.
Cendaña noted that while President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier identified the measure as a priority, Malacañang did not issue an urgency certification, slowing its passage.
“‘Yung danger kasi na ito ay priority pero walang certification as urgent. Ibig sabihin, hindi mapapabilis ‘yung proseso… alam naman natin ora de peligro,” he explained, adding that the bill could have been passed before the Christmas break to equip the ICI with subpoena and contempt powers at the start of the new year.
He emphasized that expectations placed on the commission far outweigh the support it received.
“Grabe kasi ‘yung demand na ginawa sa ICI, pinagawa mo ng isang malaking trabaho pero hindi mo binigyan ng kakayahan at hindi mo binigyan ng resources para gawin ito,” Cendaña said.
The lawmaker also expressed alarm over statements from Malacañang and the ICI following the resignation of Commissioner Rossana Fajardo, which suggested the commission had already fulfilled its role.
“We are very alarmed doon sa sinasabi ngayon ng Malacañang na yung ICI daw ay na-fulfill na niya ‘yung kanyang function,” he said, warning that such remarks minimize the scale of the problem.
Reflecting on the lack of accountability, Cendaña pointed out that no high-ranking officials have been jailed over alleged anomalous flood control projects.
“Tandaan natin hanggang sa ngayon, wala pa ‘yung malalaking isda… Sabi nila, before Christmas natapos na ang Pasko, ano paaabutin pa ba natin ng Chinese New Year bago magawa itong trabahong ito,” he said.