Singson resigns from ICI, cites stress, security risks
Rogelio Singson, one of the three members of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure tasked by President Marcos with investigating corruption in public infrastructure projects, particularly flood control, resigned on Wednesday for security reasons.
ICI Chair Andres Reyes Jr. said Singson, 77, quit due to “the very intense and stressful ICI work has taken its toll on his aging body” and also “security” risks.
“He’s not used to this kind of life,” he added.
Singson’s resignation would be effective Dec. 15, “with a possible extension to Dec. 31,” Reyes said.
Reyes did not elaborate on the security risks that Singson cited, but according to Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice of the Liberal Party, the former public works chief texted him a few days earlier expressing frustration that the ICI was being used to “solve the problems of Malacañang.”
‘Effectively dead’
“He told me, ‘Why would I risk my life and my family solving the problems of Malacañang and finding out who stole from the government?’” Erice told the Inquirer. “He said he would rather have a normal life and maintain my privacy.”
Erice said the ICI is effectively “dead and with zero credibility” without Singson, who expressed concerns that the commission was becoming a “punching bag” of the Office of the President.
Reyes downplayed any significant impact the resignation would have on the fact-finding panel’s mandate.
“We can continue investigative work,” he said.
When asked whether he and the other member of the ICI, auditing firm executive Rossana Fajardo, had a replacement in mind, Reyes said that they had not thought of that.
“We’ve been very busy,” he said. “Anyway, it’s not my concern; that is the recommendation of the president, so I don’t know who it would be.”
The commission is being assisted by former national police chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr., as special adviser. He replaced Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, a former police general, who resigned in September.
Magalong had questioned the independence of the commission after irregular transactions in his city’s public works surfaced amid the ICI probe.
Aside from conducting on-site inspections of the flagged projects, Azurin has also been joining the hearings that were broadcast live for the first time this week.
Reports to Ombudsman
The ICI has so far filed six reports to the Ombudsman, excluding the referral filed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Nov. 21.
These reports included recommendations for criminal and administrative charges against lawmakers, DPWH officials and engineers, as well as private contractors. These were accompanied by testimonies and documentary evidence.
Singson served the full six-year term of the late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III as public works secretary.
His resignation has dealt a blow to the ICI as it faces mounting public pressure to file definitive cases against perpetrators in the flood control scandal, according to other lawmakers.
Timing noted
The Makabayan bloc composed of ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago and Kabataan Rep. Renee Co called for “full transparency on the circumstances surrounding Singson’s resignation,” especially since it came a week after resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co implicated Mr. Marcos, former Speaker Martin Romualdez and the President’s son, Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos III in billions of insertions in the 2025 budget.
“The timing of this resignation, coinciding with (Presidential Communication Office’s) premature declaration of an approaching endgame, suggests that the administration’s anticorruption campaign has reached its political limits,” they said in a statement. “It appears the investigation will only go as far as prosecuting small players while protecting those in power.”
They asked whether Singson resigned due to political interference in the investigation, or was prevented from going after the “big fish.”
“What is really happening inside the ICI?” they added.
Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña said Singson’s resignation only adds more “questions and doubts” regarding the ICI’s capacity to hold corrupt officials, politicians and contractors accountable.
“As such, his resignation should be of great concern,” he said.
‘Serious setback’
Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, the House infrastructure committee chair, said Singson’s departure was a “serious setback” to the ICI’s work “as Sec. Singson had insider access, institutional memory, and deep understanding of the goings-on” in the DPWH.
He called on Mr. Marcos to appoint a replacement “with the same level of expertise and integrity” as Singson.
Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima emphasized the importance of passing pending measures to strengthen the ICI as it faces the prospect of being inutile without a law to back it up.
Erice said Singson had asked him about the status of two House bills that would grant the ICI broader powers to investigate the flood control scandal.
Lacking authority
Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III last month told the plenary that House Bill Nos. 4453 and 5699—filed respectively by House minority lawmakers, including Erice, and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco—would be given priority as part of the House’s efforts to restore trust in the government.
Erice said Singson had been telling him that he would try to convince the President to make the proposed measure a priority as the ICI lacked authority.
“But it seems the Palace does not have a positive response to the request to certify it as urgent because there are only five session days left this month,” Erice said. “So there is definitely no more time left.”
Reyes assuaged fears that Singson’s resignation would further erode public trust in the ICI.
“We have been fighting almost against everybody already. I think that’s enough trust that we are building on for the Filipino people,” he said.
