Business offers funds for corruption probe

One of the most prominent voices in the private sector has expressed willingness to provide funding support for the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) in its ongoing investigation into the flood control scandal as calls for accountability and justice ramp up.

- BY DEXTER BARRO II

Al Panlilio, president of the influential Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), said the group is interested in extending budgetary support for the ICI, particularly for equipment necessary to carry out its probe.

"Babes Singson is also part of MAP...We told him how we can help in what they're trying to do," said Panlilio on the sidelines of the 6th MAP NextGen Conference 2025.

"They only have volunteer lawyers. They don’t even have computers, no scanners, no printers. So, these are the things we’re looking into," he added.

Singson, a former secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), is a member of the three-man ICI.

President Marcos earlier established the ICI to investigate irregularities and misuse of funds in flood control and other public infrastructure projects.

It was only last week that the ICI finally secured a budget for until the end of the year, amounting to P41.48 million. Before then, the commission had been essentially operating in the spirit of volunteerism.