ICI eyes 15–20 cases in 4 weeks over 421 ghost flood projects
MANILA, Philippines — The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) aims to file 15 to 20 cases within four weeks against individuals linked to the 421 suspected ghost flood control projects uncovered in the government’s early assessment.
Newly sworn in as special adviser to the ICI, former Philippine National Police chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said the ICI, tasked to probe large-scale irregularities in public spending, is operating on a four-week plan.
He said the commission the timeline begins with the validation of 421 flood control projects that multiple government agencies have reported in their respective audits, including the Department of Public Work and Highways.
By the second week, the ICI will start building cases.
By the fourth week, the ICI should file 15 to 20 cases at the Ombudsman.
“Between now until the third to fourth week, we are looking to file at least 15 cases,” Azurin said in a mix of English and Filipino, at a livestreamed press conference right after his oathtaking ceremony.
Azurin said that the filing of cases will come as soon as the documentation is complete. Other agencies like the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the National Bureau of Investigation can also assist on documentation, Azurin said.
Scope of suspected projects. The 421 questionable missing or substandard flood control projects were from an initial pool of 8,000 reviewed. Of the 421, 261 are located in Luzon, 109 in Visayas, and 51 in Mindanao.
The DPWH reported a a total of 238,200 infrastructure projects from 2016 to 2025m about 12.5% or 29,800 of these are flood control works.
Azurin, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s former top cop, said the commission's goal is to break the "cycle of negligence and betrayal" in infrastructure development.
“This commission has been tasked to investigate, prosecute, and bring to justice all those responsible for corruption and malpractice in infrastructure projects-projects that should have protected our people but instead have caused repeated suffering during natural calamities,” Azurin said.
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