ICI chair sees 2-year lifespan, awaits more funding and powers

Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Chair Andres Reyes Jr. believes the commission has a lifespan of two years, a view supported by its executive director, Brian Keith Hosaka, who stated that the ICI can continue fulfilling its mandate for at least two more years, possibly longer.

The ICI was established by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on September 11 to investigate allegations of multi-billion-peso corruption in public infrastructure projects over the past 10 years.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla previously estimated the commission's lifespan to be "a month or two," contrasting with Reyes' and Hosaka's longer timelines.

The commission's operations are now improving as the Department of Budget and Management has downloaded P39 million of the ICI's P41-million budget, enabling staff to be paid since September and allowing for new hires.

This funding is only until the end of 2025 and will be used to hire lawyers, accountants, and engineers to help sift through thousands of documents.

Currently, the ICI's powers are limited to gathering information and submitting referrals to the Ombudsman, prompting outgoing commissioner Rogelio Singson to urge Congress to grant the commission greater authority.