The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) said on Wednesday, it has no knowledge of individuals allegedly posing as commission representatives to extort money from several members of Congress.

During the press conference, ICI Chairman Andres Reyes told reporters that while such schemes are not new in the Philippines, the commission is unaware of any people falsely using its name for illicit activities, RH Jecelle Ricafort reported.

When asked about reports that certain individuals were approaching lawmakers and offering to remove their names from a supposed ICI report in exchange for ₱100 million, Reyes responded briefly: “We don’t know who these people are. Alam [niyo] ang Pilipino maraming abilidad para mag-extort ng pera, nothing new in our country."

According to information from DZRH's Dos Por Dos, someone introducing himself/herself as a representative of the commission has been approaching several congressmen implicated in the flood control scandal.

They reportedly offer to omit the lawmakers’ names from ICI’s findings in exchange for at least ₱100 million — an amount said to be equivalent to the cost of a single flood control project in Bulacan.

ICI Executive Director Atty. Brian Hosaka earlier said this is the first time the commission has heard of such allegations.

He emphasized that the ICI is prepared to refer the matter to the appropriate criminal investigative agencies once more verified details are submitted.

Hosaka assured the public that the commission remains committed to transparency and will not tolerate any attempts to misuse its name for the purpose of corruption or extortion.