PBBM won’t ‘direct, influence’ ICI amid flood control probe

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

NO INFLUENCE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reads documents about a river wall project that was supposed to be constructed in Baliwag City, Bulacan on Aug. 20, 2025. Marcos on Wednesday (Oct. 15, 2025) said he would never attempt to “direct” or “influence” the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) amid its investigation into anomalous flood control projects. (Photo: Presidential Communications Office/Facebook)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said he would never attempt to “direct” or “influence” the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) amid its investigation into anomalous flood control projects.

“So, we investigate everybody. We follow the evidence. And wherever that leads is not something that we try to direct or influence. That’s why we have the ICI. They are an independent commission,” Marcos told Palace reporters in an interview at Malacañan Palace in Manila.

Marcos said he has no intention of interfering in the affairs of the ICI, trusting in its integrity and competence to lead the investigation.

He urged the public to also trust the ICI and allow the independent body “do [its] work.”

“Their job is to follow the leads that they receive. And if necessary or if it is justified that they can, they will now recommend to either the Ombudsman or to the DOJ (Department of Justice) that cases be filed,” Marcos said.

“So, let them do their work. We do not interfere with what they do. Wherever it may lead, sinabi ko na nga yan, wala tayong tinatago, wala tayong malakas (I already said that we have nothing to hide and we have no one pulling the strings).”

When asked if he is not entirely blameless in the flood control controversy, Marcos vouched for his integrity, saying he knows “what we did or did not do.”

He acknowledged that the opposition would drag his name into the controversy but stressed that it is all about “politics.”

“I know that there are several, the opposition would love to bring into this, to include me in all of this. But that’s politics. That is not to do about corruption. That is to do about politics. Gusto nila akong tanggalin, kaya gagawin nilang lahat yung mga gagawin nila (They want to get rid of me, so they will do everything they can to achieve that),” Marcos said.

“I’m confident that whatever mud might be slung at the administration, that we will be able to show that these are politically motivated and do not actually have any validation in fact,” he added.