ICI chair Reyes: We're good for two years

The chair of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is seeing its work stretched for two years, contrary to one to two months as predicted by the ombudsman.

- By EJ MACABABBAD

“We will work very hard until whatever is the date of our existence,” ICI head Andres Reyes Jr. said in brief remarks yesterday. “I think we're good for two years.”

It’s the first time that the commission has set a definite timeline for itself, even though President Marcos can dissolve it at any time under the sunset clause of Executive Order 94, which established the fact-finding body.

This comes despite Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’s remarks last week that the ICI, tasked to investigate infrastructure projects over the past 10 years, may wrap up its operations in a month or two and turn over its work entirely to his office.

Earlier this month, former public works secretary Rogelio Singson resigned from the ICI, citing the stressful nature of the work.

Despite the two-year timeline, Reyes said it’s “OK” if the ICI will exist for a much shorter time because Congress is now deliberating bills to empower the commission, which Marcos asked the legislature to prioritize.

The ICI is currently swamped with 94 boxes of documents containing copies of reports, contracts and other pertinent files related to flood control projects.