THE three-member fact-finding body tasked to investigate the alleged anomalies in the government’s flood control projects is now complete.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has designated former Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr. as the chairperson of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) in a press briefing on Monday, September 15.
Marcos described Reyes as a person who has a “very good record of honesty and fairness and a good record of being able to find justice for those who have been victimized.”
Reyes was a former presiding justice of the Court of Appeals (CA) before former President Rodrigo Duterte appointed him to the high court in July 2017. He served as an associate justice until May 2020, upon reaching the compulsory retirement age of 70.
Reyes is the son of former CA Presiding Justice Andres Reyes and the grandson of former CA and later SC Justice Alex Reyes Sr.
A third-generation justice in his family, the former associate justice began his career in the Judiciary as a trial judge from 1987 to 1999.
Reyes holds an economics degree from St. Mary’s College of California. He took up his law studies at the Ateneo de Manila University and later earned his master’s degree in public administration from the Philippine Women’s University.
Reyes joins former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson and SGV and Co. Country Managing Partner Rossana Fajardo, who were named members of the ICI. The commission will have Baguio City Mayor Benjamin “Benjie” Magalong as its special adviser, whom the Palace said will serve as an investigator.
Created under Executive No. 94, the ICI is mandated to investigate not only the multibillion-peso flood control scandal, but also the alleged corruption, irregularities, and misuse of funds in other government infrastructure projects within the last 10 years.
The independent body can issue subpoenas, recommend the filing of criminal or administrative cases, and request relevant documents needed for its investigation, among its “broad investigative powers.”
Marcos on protests
Various protests erupted in the country to demand full accountability and transparency over the alleged corruption in the DPWH flood control projects, where several government officials and contractors have been linked.
During the press conference, Marcos was asked if his administration was concerned that these demonstrations would escalate to violence, similar to what transpired in Indonesia and Nepal. The Chief Executive said that this would only happen if the government failed to address the issue.
Marcos expressed support for the demonstrations, stressing that he would have joined protesters if he was not the country’s president.
“Do you blame them for going out on the streets?” he said.
“Of course, they are enraged. Of course, they are angry. I’m angry. We should all be angry, because what’s happening is not right,” he added.
Marcos encouraged the public to call out individuals responsible for the alleged corruption, but he advised them to keep the protests peaceful.
“Kasi pagka hindi na peaceful, eh mahirap na ‘yan. We will have to—the police will have to do its duty to maintain peace and order,” he said.
More groups are set to stage demonstrations against corruption amid the ongoing congressional probe into the flood control issue. Among them are anticipated massive protest actions in Luneta Park in Manila and in the Power People Monument in Quezon City on September 21, coinciding with the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law under the regime of Marcos’ father and namesake, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
