MANILA — Sherwin Gatchalian, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said on Friday that the 2026 budget contained no particular provision for the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.
Gatchalian explained that the Office of the President provides funding for the ICI.
“Ngayon, walang specific item para sa ICI. I believe kinukuha ito sa Office of the President. At sapat naman yung pondo ng Office of the President para pondohan sila. So wala siyang specific item,” Gatchalian informed reporters.
“Tuloy lang kung ano yung ginagawa nila this year, ito tuloy lang for 2026,” he added.
Gatchalian pointed out that if the measure establishing an independent commission to replace ICI is approved by Congress, the contingent fund may be used.
Rogelio “Babes” Singson, the outgoing ICI Commissioner, recently stated that some ICI employees continued to work “on volunteer basis” and have not yet been paid for their three months of employment.
He has called on Congress to pass bills that would provide the commission looking into irregularities in flood control with legal support.
“We cannot rely on just one entity like ICI to solve the problem. It cannot be only one institution. We need several entities to help out, especially Congress,” Singson remarked.
“We have done our part, we have deliberated with them, line by line… para yung inputs namin are taken up. So we’re saying it’s your turn guys to pass that bill. Otherwise, don’t expect too much.”
Singson acknowledged on Friday that the Office of the President had not taken any action on his irrevocable resignation from the body, which he had filed as early as November 14.
Singson told reporters,“I gave 30 days irrevocable. It’s not acted upon, it’s deemed accepted,”
On December 15, Singson is expected to depart from ICI.
Gatchalian said senators may summon representatives from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), NICA, and the Office of the President to clarify the status and purpose of the ICI.
He added that if the administration intends to activate a new inter-agency body, it must first undergo proper budget vetting and legislative oversight, especially given the sensitivity of intelligence spending.
