Ched Rick Gatchalian

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Legality of ICI’s flood control probe questioned at the Supreme Court

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATED) </strong>— A senior high school teacher filed a petition for certiorari, or review, before the Supreme Court on Thursday, questioning the legality of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI)&#x27;s probe into corruption in flood-control projects. </p><p>In his petition, teacher Barry Tayam likened the ICI — created by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through Executive Order No. 94 (Series of 2025 —  to the Philippine Truth Commission created by former President Benigno Aquino III.</p><p>The PTC was later declared by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional because it focused on alleged corruption during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/22/ici-to-livestream-probe-after-transparency-calls-1439"><strong>ICI to livestream flood control probe after transparency calls</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;CONFLICT OF INTEREST&#x27;</strong></div><p>Tayam said in his petition that while the ICI is not identical to the scrapped truth commission, “a conflict of interest is nonetheless a concern, as the investigation centers on the Department of Public Works and Highways specifically, its previous secretaries and district engineers, all of whom fall under the Executive Branch headed by the President.” </p><p>The ICI has so far referred its findings to the Office of the Ombudsman, an independent constitutional commission which is headed by a presidential appointee.</p><p>Tayam also said the ICI creates a redundancy with existing government bodies such as the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice.</p><p>“Moreover, both the Senate and the House of Representatives already possess respective committees capable of assisting with the investigation or case build-up,” Tayam said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/30/ici-amlc-ink-deal-to-strengthen-cooperation-in-flood-control-probe-1431"><strong>ICI, AMLC agree to strengthen cooperation in flood control probe</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;ICI CAN BE STRENGTHENED&#x27;</strong></div><p>While he questions the legality of the ICI, Tayam said he is also open to the further strengthening of the body through the proposed law establishing the Independent People’s Commission.</p><p>He noted that one of the challenges being faced by the ICI is its lack of contempt powers, among others.</p><p>“Win-win situation, kung paboran man ako, once again, i-abolish ang ICI, kung hindi man, mas mabibigyan ng ngipin itong ICI,” Tayam said in an interview after filing his petition.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/22/pangilinan-urges-marcos-jr-to-certify-independent-people-s-commission-bill-as-urgent-1554"><strong>Pangilinan urges Marcos Jr. to certify Independent People&#x27;s Commission bill as urgent</strong></a></div><div><strong></strong></div><p>Tayam, in August, filed two petitions at the Supreme Court: One for the SC to clarify &#x27;forthwith&#x27; in the Constitution in relation to impeachment, and another for the review on the postponement of the 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.   </p><p>He ran for district representative of Las Piñas in the May elections.</p><p>Tayam said in October 2024 when he filed his candidacy papers that the youth should step up against traditional politicians and political dynasties.</p>

<p>A senior high school teacher filed a petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court on Thursday, questioning the legality of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI)'s flood control probe.</p>

A senior high school teacher filed a petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court on Thursday, questioning the legality of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI)'s flood control probe.

Teacher questions legality of ICI's flood control probe at Supreme Court

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Teacher questions legality of ICI's flood control probe at Supreme Court

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 30, 2025 02:24 PM PHT

|

Updated Oct 30, 2025 07:41 PM PHT

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Teacher

ICI

Independent Commission for Infrastructure

Flood control

Investigation

Supreme Court

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