January 16, 2026 – Manila, Philippines. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the fate of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) will depend on how much work remains to be done, noting that the body is “coming toward the end” of its mandate. 

He explained that the appointment of new commissioners has not yet been decided, stressing that once the commission submits its findings, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Ombudsman will take over the investigations. 

“Well, it depends on how much work they still have left. Kung matapos yung katawag nila, we will see what they can do next. But they really are coming towards the end. Maybe there are one or two other… We haven’t really decided on that yet. It all depends on the work that ICI still has in front of it. If it’s still needed, then we will. If the work is done, kung ibigay na lahat ng information sa DOJ at sa Ombudsman, then the focus now of the investigation will go to the DOJ and the Ombudsman,” Marcos said in an interview.

The President’s remarks come amid concerns over the commission’s capacity to function after two commissioners resigned last month, leaving only Chairperson Andres Reyes Jr. in place. Former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson stepped down citing health reasons, while Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co. country managing partner Rossana Fajardo resigned due to personal commitments.

ICI special adviser and former PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. warned that the lack of commissioners has hampered the body’s ability to refer cases to the Ombudsman, particularly those involving alleged anomalies in multibillion-peso flood control projects. He said the commission may need to formally write to the President to clarify its future.

Malacañang, however, downplayed the impact of the vacancies. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the ICI can still recommend cases even with only one member. “It is not possible that they have no capacity to recommend cases for investigation. Anyone can give recommendations to the Ombudsman. 

So, if their function is to recommend the filing of cases before the Ombudsman, even if there is only one member, as long as there is sufficient evidence, this would not prevent them from recommending the filing of cases,” Castro explained.

The ICI was formed in September 2025 to investigate irregularities in government infrastructure projects over the past decade, particularly flood control programs flagged for possible corruption. With the resignations and the President’s statement that the commission is nearing the end of its work, observers believe its role may soon be transferred entirely to the DOJ and Ombudsman.

For now, the commission continues to operate with limited capacity, but its future remains uncertain as the Palace weighs whether to appoint new commissioners or allow the body to wind down.