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Facade of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure headquarters in Taguig City. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Facade of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) headquarters in Taguig City Photo taken on October 15, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176490961527920251015-ici-headquarters-MT5 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false" style="text-align:left">Facade of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure headquarters in Taguig City. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Malacañang on Friday said the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) was allocated a P41-million budget in response to criticism that it is underfunded.</p><p>The statement comes after former ICI adviser and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said he had to shell out P30,000 out of his own pocket for ICI operations, while former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, who resigned from the panel; this week, said that the ICI lacked proper funding.</p><p>Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told Palace reporters that the release of funds had been authorized as early as September.</p><p>“Ang natatangi na nagkaroon ng kaunting delay ay yung pag iimplement at pagsasagawa ng modified disbursement system pero ngayon yung pondo ay nasa kanila na,” she said.</p><p>(There was some delay in implementing the modified disbursement system but the funds are already with them)</p><p>“Ipinakiusap na natin na since nandiyan na yung pondo, yung pagkukulang na dapat bayaran, bayaran na agad.”</p><p>(We have also asked them that, since the funds are already available, to pay any deficiencies as soon as possible)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/5/marcos-says-cases-to-be-filed-vs-discaya-over-ghost-project-in-davao-occidental-1117"><strong>Marcos announces looming arrest of Sarah Discaya over ghost project in Davao Occidental</strong></a></div><p>Despite complaints about the ICI’s operations, Castro maintained that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not fall short in providing adequate support to the panel he established to investigate anomalous public infrastructure projects.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/5/amlc-new-freeze-order-out-vs-flood-control-firm-frozen-assets-now-at-p13b-1021"><strong>AMLC: New freeze order out vs flood control firm; frozen assets now at P13B</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;PINAKIUSAPAN&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The Palace also said that it has urged Singson, through Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, to reconsider his <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/3/ici-announces-resignation-of-rogelio-singson-1507">resignation</a> from the ICI.</p><p>“Dahil may concern si Sec. Babes, iginagalang po natin yan at nagpapasalamat tayo sa napakagaling na serbisyo ni Sec. Babes Singson,” she added.</p><p>(Because Singson has concerns, we respect that and we thank him for his ecellent service)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/4/singson-says-ici-went-to-war-without-necessary-ammunition-1326">Singson says ICI was ‘asked to go to war without necessary ammunition’</a></div><p>The ICI’s credibility and operations have been under scrutiny after the panel delayed its vow to livestream its interviews with officials linked to the flood control corruption scandal.</p><p>The panel drew further criticism after it gave officials the option to opt for executive sessions or closed-door interviews instead of opening all discussions to the public to make its proceedings more transparent.</p><p>Malacañang said that it will wait for Congress to finalize a bill that will institutionalize the creation of a similar panel to the ICI, but with more powers and jurisdiction rooted in law.</p><p>Marcos Jr. has not certified passage of the bill urgent, which would signal Congress to fast track legislation.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HiWiU-Vfsqg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NZGC47bv33U?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZPpXvEQBCJQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Malacañang on Friday denied allegations that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure has been running without funding, saying that a P41-million budget allocation for the panel has been approved since September.</p>

Malacañang on Friday denied allegations that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure has been running without funding, saying that a P41-million budget allocation for the panel has been approved since September.

Malacañang says ICI not underfunded with P41-M budget

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Malacañang says ICI not underfunded with P41-M budget

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 05, 2025 01:17 PM PHT

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Updated Dec 05, 2025 07:00 PM PHT

Read More:

Independent Commission for Infrastructure

ICI

Claire Castro

Rogelio Singson

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