Senator Alan Peter Cayetano raised concerns over the credibility and independence of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), calling for greater transparency and a clear definition of its role amid ongoing probes into alleged corruption in government flood control projects.

In an exclusive interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Cayetano said that while many proclaim their willingness to sacrifice for the country, what may be needed now is a “national reset.”

He emphasized that the scale and depth of the irregularities require a serious reexamination of the nation’s systems and institutions.

“Everyone is saying ‘we’re willing to die for our country,’ ‘we’re willing to sacrifice for our country,’ ‘we’re willing to give all for our country so baka kailangan natin ng national reset; ‘yong three-year period,” he said.

The senator recalled that even before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed alleged anomalies in flood control projects last July, several lawmakers had already sounded alarms as early as 2022.

“Sinabi na natin noong umpisa pa ‘to, kung sino ang pinaka guilty dito, sino ang mga mastermind, guguluhin nila ito. Kaya makikita n’yo July 25 ‘to (flood control issue) nireveal ng pangulo, pero kami nung ibang mga senador 2022 pa lang, 2023 sinasabi na namin na something smells fishy sa flood control na ito,” Cayetano said.

He lamented the slow progress of the ICI investigation, noting that months have passed without any clear results or a list of ghost projects.

“From July 2025 to in a few weeks, three months na, may listahan man lang ba tayo kung ilan ‘yong ghost sa buong Pilipinas? 90 days na wala pa… Ginugulo kasi nga kung isasabay mo ‘yong least guilty sa pinaka-guilty, at kung ang guilty dito ay 10,000 tao gugulo talaga. Ginugulo talaga,” he added.

Addressing public calls for transparency, Cayetano agreed with the Iglesia ni Cristo’s (INC) position that the hearings should be made public.

“Dapat talaga public [hearing]. Maraming problema ang ICI. I believe in the people there. I believe in the system. But from the start, sinabi ko ‘to sa floor, ‘sandali lang minamadali natin ‘yan,’” he said.

He further questioned whether the ICI was merely tasked to investigate or also to prosecute, pointing to overlapping functions with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Ombudsman.

“Unang-una ano ba sila imbestiga lang [o] sila magkakaso? Kasi noong una sinabi tigil lahat, sila na. Pero noong nagsimula sa House, nagsimula sa Senate, biglang pasok DOJ [biglang] DOJ na; ngayon Ombudsman baka Ombudsman na. So kailangan idefine natin lahat ‘yon sinabi independent diba,” he explained.

“I’m not saying hindi independent ‘yong mga nandon. Ang sinasabi ko lang magandang idea magkaroon ng independent commission pero magkaka-problema tayo,” the senador further clarified.

Cayetano then cited the Marcos Sr. era as context for what an “independent commission” should be, which, according to him, is one that is credible and free from political influence. However, he questioned the current ICI’s independence due to its ties with Malacañang.

“Ang hugot kasi nito noong panahon ni President Marcos Sr. dahil nga martial law, kumukuha sila ng napaka credible na tao ginagawa nilang independent commission. Ang independent ibig sabihin hindi dependent sa Congress, hindi dependent sa Malacañang. Eh unang meeting nila sa Malacañang eh. Doon din nanumpa,” he said.

He also mentioned the case of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who resigned from the ICI after an alleged internal intrigue.

“Naglagay ng imbestigador si Mayor Magalong, inintriga, tinanggal din, hindi independent ‘yon. I’m not saying hindi independent ‘yong mga nandon. Ang sinasabi ko lang magandang idea magkaroon ng independent commission pero magkaka-problema tayo,” Cayetano said.

The senator concluded that while the idea of an independent commission is sound, its implementation must ensure true autonomy, accountability, and openness to regain public trust.