More than 16,000 complaints received by “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website concerning allegedly anomalous flood control and infrastructure projects will be forwarded to the newly formed Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), Malacañang announced on Wednesday.
Palace press officer Claire Castro confirmed 16,275 reports had been submitted to the reporting platform as of Wednesday.
“Dahil mayroon na pong ICI, ay ipapasa na po sa ICI (Since the ICI has now been established, all these will be passed on to the commission),” she said.
Launched by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on August 11, SumbongsaPangulo.ph was created to allow Filipinos to report non-existent, non-operational, or substandard flood control projects in their communities.
The initiative follows the president’s directive during his July State of the Nation Address to probe corruption in public infrastructure, particularly flood control projects, amid recurring severe flooding across the country.
On September 11, the president issued Executive Order No. 94, which created the ICI.
The commission is tasked with investigating DPWH flood control projects from the past decade and recommending charges against those found to have misused public funds.
Marcos named retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr. as ICI chairperson, former Public Works and Highways secretary Rogelio Singson and SGV managing partner Rossana Fajardo as members, and Baguio City mayor Benjamin Magalong as special adviser and investigator. — Marlon Magtira
