MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the creation of an independent fact-finding body to investigate alleged anomalies in government flood control and other infrastructure projects, citing threats to public safety and the erosion of public trust.

Executive Order (EO) 94, signed and made public Thursday, establishes the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which will be composed of a chairperson and two members of proven competence and integrity. The commission will be supported by an executive director with the rank of undersecretary and a secretariat for technical and administrative work.

“The Administration is firmly committed to maintain honesty and integrity in public service, and will take decisive measures to repress and hold accountable government officials and employees, and any other individual, who engage in graft, corrupt practices, or other acts that undermine the national interest and betray the people’s trust,” Marcos said in the order.

The ICI will be tasked to hear, investigate, and gather evidence on possible corruption, fund misuse, and irregularities in the planning, financing, and implementation of government projects, with priority on flood control works carried out in the past decade.

The commission will have the authority to issue subpoenas, compel the production of documents, recommend criminal, civil, and administrative charges before the Department of Justice, the Office of the Ombudsman, and the Civil Service Commission, and coordinate with other agencies. It may also recommend asset freezes, hold departure orders, and preventive suspensions to protect the integrity of its investigation.

Malacañang said the members of the commission will be announced “very shortly” following the release of the EO.

Flood control projects, which receive billions in allocations annually, have long been flagged as vulnerable to corruption due to repeated delays, substandard construction, and alleged fund misuse despite their importance in mitigating disasters.

The ICI will submit monthly reports to the Office of the President and publish its accomplishments. It will remain in place until it completes its mandate or is dissolved by the President. (PNA)