Singson quitting ICI

Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Commissioner Rogelio "Babes" Singson is resigning from his position effective Dec. 15, citing "stressful work" at the body.

- By JOSEPH PEDRAJAS and ELLSON QUISMORIO

Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Commissioner Rogelio "Babes" Singson is resigning from his position effective Dec. 15, citing "stressful work" at the body.

ICI chairman retired Supreme Court (SC) associate justice Andres Reyes Jr. made the announcement on Wednesday, Dec. 3, a day after rumors that Singson, a former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary, would be quitting from his post.

Reyes said the "intense work" at the ICI is "taking its toll on his aging body".

"I would like to first announce the resignation of Secretary Babes Singson or Commissioner Singson effective Dec. 15, 2025, but could be extended to Dec. 31," he said. "[His decision is] for health reasons and also, for security, because he is not used to this kind of life."

Singson was the second ICI member to resign since the commission was formed last September. The first to quit was former ICI special adviser Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

Despite these high-profile resignations amid the public's criticism of the ICI's commitment to transparency, Reyes maintained the commission's integrity.

"We have been filing almost against everybody already. That's enough trust that we are building on for the Filipino people," he added.

Cases vs Chiz, Villar, Binay, Poe referred to Ombudsman

As this developed, the ICI submitted a new referral to the Office of the Ombudsman, where it recommended further investigation for case build-up against Senators Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Mark Villar as well as former senators Grace Poe and Nancy Binay in relation to the anomalous flood control projects.