Malacañang acknowledged that former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay has a point in questioning the need for another law to strengthen the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), saying that creating a new independent body might only duplicate existing government functions.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro made the statement during a Palace press briefing on Tuesday, November 4, in response to Hilbay’s remark that passing another law for ICI’s independence and expanded powers would be “ignorant and impractical.”

Castro explained that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. formed the ICI through Executive Order No. 94 to assist in gathering documents and evidence related to alleged irregularities in flood control projects—tasks that could help speed up investigations conducted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Ombudsman.

“Former SolGen. Hilbay has a point when he says there may be redundancy if another independent body is created to investigate anomalous flood control projects,” Castro said.

“The President believes the existing commission already serves as a supporting arm to help the DOJ and Ombudsman in their investigations," she added.

When asked whether Malacañang opposes the proposed “Independent People’s Commission,” Castro clarified that the Palace will evaluate the measure once it is fully drafted and passed by Congress.

“It will depend on what the bill actually contains,” she said. “If it is passed into law, the President will, of course, respect the legislative process. It is the job of our lawmakers to craft and pass laws.”

On Monday, the House of Representatives moved to fast-track House Bills 4453 and 5699, which seek to expand the powers of the ICI by granting it subpoena and contempt authority, the power to issue hold departure orders, and to file cases directly with the Sandiganbayan.