Malacañang defended the reported plan to shut down the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), assuring the public that investigations into alleged irregularities in flood control projects will continue.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the commission has already submitted its findings to the Office of the Ombudsman for further action.
“The fact-finding body, ICI, already turned over its report to the Ombudsman for further investigation. The mandate to pursue those responsible will continue,” Castro stated.
She emphasized that the end of the commission’s mandate does not mean the inquiry has stopped.
“The conclusion of ICI does not signal the end of the inquiry. The Ombudsman and DOJ are still conducting preliminary investigations into the cases submitted or recommended to be filed,” she added.
According to Castro, both the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ) may also initiate additional investigations motu proprio if necessary.
The ICI was created as a fact-finding body to examine alleged irregularities in flood control projects, an issue that has drawn intense scrutiny amid claims of massive corruption involving billions of pesos in public funds.