Ched Rick Gatchalian

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file

Article (news)

Cayetano wants ICI to include opposition member

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday called for the inclusion of members of the political opposition in the Independent Commission for Infrastructure as he also called the anti-corruption campaign in the investigation of the flood control scandal unsustainable. </p><p>The ICI is composed of former Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes, former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and SGV and Co. Country Managing Partner Rossana Fajardo.</p><p>Reyes was appointed to the SC by then President Rodrigo Duterte while Singson was a member of then President Benigno Aquino III&#x27;s Cabinet.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/6/makati-business-club-urges-reform-in-government-over-snap-election-2230"><strong>Makati Business Club urges reform in government over snap election<br/></strong></a></div><p>&quot;Sa maraming bansa na nayuyugyog ng matinding crisis, nagkakaroon po yan ng mixed na cabinet or coalition government. Hindi kami humihingi ng pwesto sa kabinete. Ang hinihingi natin, maging patas. So halimbawa, representative ng opposition sa ICI,&quot; Cayetano said.</p><p>(In many countries rocked by crisis, there are mixed Cabinets or coalition governments. We are not asking for a Cabinet position. What we want is for things to be fair. So, for example, a representative of the opposition in the ICI)</p><p>Cayetano said the opposition should also be able to nominate members to other bodies that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will create. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO &#x27;BULLETPROOF&#x27; ICI</strong></div><p>Apart from members of the opposition, Cayetano said religious leaders should also be included in the ICI.</p><p>&quot;Let us bulletproof them. In terms of &#x27;yong faith ng tao and the way to bulletproof, magsama ng ilang religious leaders, magsama ng isang oposisyon. Then make them independent,&quot; he said, implying the current panel is not.</p><p>(Let us put in a few religious leaders, include the opposition)</p><p>He did not say why he thinks the current composition of the ICI, which has made public little of its work, is unfair.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/6/lino-cayetano-urges-brother-alan-give-up-power-0715"><strong>Lino Cayetano urges brother Alan: Give up power</strong></a></div><p>He did say, however, that the current approach to addressing corruption is unsustainable.</p><p>&quot;We have to address it (corruption). We have to be decisive. Kailangan may major reforms, tunay na pagbabago. Kailangan may makulong. Pero the way we&#x27;re doing it, na parang circus araw-araw, lubusan naapektohan ang image ng ating bansa,&quot; he said.</p><p>(There should be major reforms. People should go to jail. But the way we&#x27;re doing it, it&#x27;s like a circus every day. It is affecting the image of our country)</p><p>Cayetano made the remarks the same day as the aborted bid of Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to enforce the 2016 order of then Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales dismissing Sen. Joel Villanueva over the pork barrel scam.</p><p>He also said he welcomes the potential return of Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson as Blue Ribbon Committee chair but said the investigation needs a &quot;clear direction&quot; on who the panel wants to hold accountable.</p><p>Cayetano also claimed there were different standards for members of the administration and of the opposition.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/20/lacson-says-reaccepting-blue-ribbon-chairmanship-may-have-consequences-on-senate-majority-1847"><strong>Lacson says reaccepting Blue Ribbon chairmanship may have consequences on Senate Majority</strong></a></div>

<p>The ICI is composed of former Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes, former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and SGV and Co. Country Managing Partner Rossana Fajardo.</p>

The ICI is composed of former Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes, former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and SGV and Co. Country Managing Partner Rossana Fajardo.

'Let's be fair': Cayetano says opposition should have seat on ICI

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'Let's be fair': Cayetano says opposition should have seat on ICI

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 23, 2025 07:57 PM PHT

Read More:

Alan Cayetano

Senate

ICI

Independent Commission for Infrastructures

Investigation

Flood control

Ping Lacson

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