Palace Defends Independence of Commission Probing Flood Control Anomalies

Malacañang firmly rejected Senator Rodante Marcoleta's suggestion questioning the independence of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which is investigating anomalies in flood control projects. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro emphasized that evidence "cannot be conjured from thin air."

"The independence of an investigative body is demonstrated by its impartiality, lack of bias, non-partisanship, and its refusal to accept bribes or engage in corrupt practices," Castro said on Wednesday.

Highlighting the commission's methods, she added, "The ICI is an independent body tasked with investigating, and it will acquire information from every possible source. Evidence must come from credible materials, including government documents, but those are not the only resources the commission will examine. They will explore every angle necessary to complete the evidence."

The statement comes in response to Marcoleta's concerns raised on Tuesday that the ICI is potentially "too dependent" on other government agencies for information — particularly after meetings between the ICI and Senate leaders, including Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III and Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Panfilo Lacson.

Marcoleta questioned the scope and limits of the collaboration between the ICI and the Blue Ribbon Committee, expressing doubts about the commission's independence if it relies heavily on records and testimonies provided by legislative bodies.

However, Castro dismissed these worries, pointing out that cooperation between the ICI and legislative investigations is both logical and beneficial. "If the Senate and the House of Representatives can contribute information uncovered from their own hearings, there is no reason for the ICI to reject such assistance," she explained.

The Palace reiterated its support for the ICI's mandate to conduct thorough, unbiased investigations into the reported irregularities surrounding flood control initiatives, underscoring that utilizing all available sources is essential for achieving comprehensive and credible results.