Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has announced the appointment of retired Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr. as the chair of the newly established Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). The commission is tasked with investigating alleged anomalies in multi-billion-peso flood control projects.
According to Philippines News Agency, the President highlighted Reyes’ exemplary track record as a jurist, citing his honesty, fairness, and ability to deliver justice as key reasons for his selection. “He has a very, very good record of honesty and fairness and a good record of being able to find justice for those who have been victimized,” said President Marcos.
Joining Reyes on the commission are former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio ‘Babes’ Singson and SGV and Co. executive Rossana Fajardo, whose appointments were announced by the Palace on September 13. Reyes, who served as a trial judge from 1987 to 1999, was later appointed as an Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals (CA). He became the Presiding Justice of the CA in 2010 and was appointed as an associate justice of the Supreme Court in 2017.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong will serve as a consultant for the commission, leveraging his experience as a police investigator and his contributions to the initial probe. President Marcos noted that Magalong had already produced a detailed report and could contribute significantly to the commission’s work.
The President emphasized that the ICI will operate independently of Malaca±ang, assuring that the administration will not interfere with its work. He stated that the commission would meet daily to expedite its proceedings. The establishment of the ICI comes amid growing demands for accountability following reports of alleged corruption in flood control projects. President Marcos expressed the expectation that the commission would submit its findings promptly to guide government reforms in public infrastructure spending.