Malacañang maintained that there is no need to include representatives from the political opposition in the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), asserting that its members are already independent and non-partisan.
This statement came after Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano suggested that the ICI should have members from the opposition and that religious leaders should also be represented.
In an interview, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin explained that the members of the commission—tasked with investigating flood control projects undertaken in the past ten years—were selected precisely for their independence.
“Halos lahat ng tatlo opposition yung mga yun. Independent sila, they were chosen because of that quality of independence,” said Bersamin.
He emphasized that the selection followed the standards set by the Executive Order creating the ICI.
“That is the presidential choice within the framework ng EO, independent, we chose the people na – we believe are independent from anyone including the executive,” he added.
Bersamin argued that requiring opposition members to be part of the commission could send the wrong message about objectivity.
“You cannot put there na kailangan ng opposition, ibig sabihin, kung hindi opposition wala nang objectivity? Hindi naman maganda yun,” he said.
Although he acknowledged Cayetano’s suggestion, Bersamin said the Palace viewed the matter differently.
“I don’t think it is necessary to brand one of the member or two of the members as coming from the opposition. They are really independent, hindi namin kayang impluwensyahan ang mga yan,” he explained.
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is composed of former Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr., former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson, and SGV & Co. Country Managing Partner Rossana Fajardo.
According to Malacañang, the commission’s makeup reflects the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability without the need for political labels.