2 more years of ICI work possible – Hosaka

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) can continue fulfilling its mandate for at least two years, regardless of the challenges faced by the fact-finding body, according to its executive director.

- By EJ MACABABBAD

ICI chairman Andres Reyes Jr. on Wednesday mentioned a two-year timespan for the commission, created by President Marcos to investigate anomalous infrastructure projects over the past 10 years.

"The sheer volume itself is huge, so, definitely, maybe that's where Reyes is coming from when he said two years," ICI executive director Brian Keith Hosaka told The STAR's online show "Truth on the Line" on Thursday, adding, "It can even be longer."

Hosaka said the commission's different working parts are now beginning to function. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has already downloaded P39 million of the ICI's P41-million budget, enabling the commission to pay staffers who have been working without wages since September.

The funding, which is only good until the end of 2025, will also pave the way for the hiring process to commence - a crucial component given the thousands of documents that the commission needs to scour.

"We want to hire as many lawyers, accountants, and even engineers as possible so that we can complete our staff," Hosaka said. "The more we complete our staff, the better for our operations and efficiency."