Opacity caused flood scams, so ICI probe must be public

Gen. Rodolfo Azurin is what activists of 1970, 1986, 2001 and 2014 would’ve called a “fascist pig.”

- JARIUS BONDOC

Sworn in Monday as adviser to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, he berated citizens and flood victims protesting massive corruption. The ex-PNP chief saw only “division, chaos, violence” in their rallies.

Lost to Azurin are the basic freedoms of expression, assembly, seeking redress. He’d rather that all just shut up while ICI investigates behind closed doors P1.7-trillion plunder of flood control funds.

But why behind closed doors? Isn’t transparency, like sunlight, the best antiseptic? Azurin may want to check the background of one of ICI’s three commissioners.

Rossana Fajardo is country managing partner of the Philippines’ largest auditing firm SyCip Gorres Velayo. SGV is the external auditor of giant miner Benguet Corp., of ex-speaker Martin Romualdez and siblings. Romualdez is among officials to be probed by ICI.

Fajardo’s SGV is also external auditor of pioneering constructor Engineering Equipment Inc. and holding firm House of Investments. Romualdez’s RYM Business Management Corp. executed buyouts with both firms in April 2023 and March 2025.

Undoubtedly Fajardo brings into ICI vast experience in forensic audit. She can uncover evidence of financial felonies, for use in court.

Still, conflict of interest might taint Fajardo’s ICI. Benguet, EEI and HI are among the country’s largest firms and SGV clients.

President Bongbong Marcos formed the ICI. Yet he too might need investigating.