THE Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) has secured its ₱41 million budget for 2025, Malacañang clarified on Friday, amid ongoing discussions about the commission’s financial capacity.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro stated that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) for the ICI’s initial funding in September. While there was a delay in the implementation of the budget due to the modified disbursement system, Castro assured that the funds are now with the ICI.
The clarification comes after Rogelio “Babes” Singson, who recently resigned from the ICI, lamented the investigating body’s lack of budget and enabling laws to empower it in its fight against corruption. Singson had expressed concern that the ICI was operating with inadequate funds following its establishment in September by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. He also called on lawmakers to pass bills to strengthen the powers of the investigating body.
President Marcos issued Executive Order 94 in September, creating the ICI as a non-partisan fact-finding body to investigate irregularities in flood control and infrastructure projects over the past decade. In November, the Office of the President approved a ₱41 million budget for 2025 for the ICI, along with 172 open positions.
metrosundaily
