The House Infrastructure Committee has officially suspended its proceedings to allow the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to conduct a full and impartial investigation into the multi-billion peso flood control corruption scandal.

Rep. Terry Ridon of the Bicol Saro Partylist, who co-chairs the committee, announced the decision Wednesday, emphasizing the committee’s commitment to transparency and accountability. “Within the next few days, the Infracomm will turnover all transcripts, documents, and other pieces of information and evidence to the ICI,” Ridon said. “We will fully cooperate with the ICI on any and every aspect of our previous proceedings.”

Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III is scheduled to meet with the ICI this afternoon to discuss the transition and coordination.

The House Infrastructure Committee’s hearings have already yielded significant developments:

– The resignation of Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) members amid allegations of unexplained wealth and the sale of contractor licenses.

– The disclosure of ₱1 billion in cash assets held by MG Samidan Construction, one of the top 15 flood control contractors named by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

– The release of financial statements from Discaya-linked firms spanning 2014 to 2023, showing a sharp rise in revenues during the Duterte administration, sustained through the present.

– Initial testimonies and evidence linking high-level executive and legislative officials to ghost and substandard flood control projects in Bulacan, which are now under review by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

The committee also implemented key transparency measures during its hearings, including mandatory conflict-of-interest disclosures for House members and a protocol requiring immediate recusal for any member named in the proceedings.

Looking ahead, Ridon said the committee will propose legislation to strengthen oversight and public participation in infrastructure development. These include:

– Mandating private sector involvement in project inspections.

– Ensuring civil society participation in procurement processes.

– Requiring public disclosure of project proponents at every stage of the budget process.

– Empowering the ICI with subpoena and contempt powers to enhance its investigative capacity.

“The House Infrastructure Committee has full faith in the mandate, integrity, and competence of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure,” Ridon said. “We trust that through its work, the ICI will be able to ensure transparency, accountability, and most important of all, justice.”