COMMISSIONER Rossana Fajardo has announced her resignation from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), effective December 31, 2025. In a statement, Fajardo said she has “completed the work I set out to accomplish,” ensuring that the foundational goals of the Commission have been met.
Fajardo believes that the investigative and prosecutorial responsibilities will now transition to other agencies, such as the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman, which are “better positioned to ensure accountability for contractors and government officials.” She also pointed to recent legislative developments, including the prioritization of bills creating the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption and the Independent People’s Commission. Fajardo believes a permanent commission with enhanced powers will be more effective in supporting the Ombudsman’s office in prosecuting parties involved in irregular government infrastructure projects.
ICI Chairperson Andres Reyes Jr. said Fajardo’s resignation “comes at a natural point in the Commission’s work,” noting that the ICI was created with a “clear, time-bound mandate” to gather evidence, establish facts, and propose corrective measures. Reyes said the ICI will now focus on finalizing referrals to the Office of the Ombudsman.
However, opposition lawmakers have expressed skepticism about the ICI’s future. House Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima said, “This can very well be the end of ICI. Dapat kasi meron nang ICAIC by now,” referring to the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICAIC). Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña said the ICI was marred with more resignations than achievements, stating, “Ba’t imbis na ulo ng mga korap, puro resignations ang binibigay sa atin ng ICI? Two out of three down, Bibingo na ang ICI (Instead of targeting those who are corrupt, all ICI gave us are resignations; it is about to hit bingo)?”
