Stressed Singson Quits As ICI Becoming Washing Machine, Punching Bag – Erice

Former Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Rogelio Singson has resigned from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure – the second official to leave the ICI after Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

Singson felt that the ICI was becoming a “punching bag” and deodorizer of Malacañang, according to House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Edgar Erice, and might be accused of being a “washing machine” as well.

ICI chair Andres Reyes Jr. confirmed Singson’s resignation on Wednesday, Dec. 3, due to “very intense and stressful ICI work has taken its toll on his aging body.”

Singson will stay on until Dec. 15, although his stint may be extended until Dec. 31.

Singson, the public works chief from 2010 to 2016, was days away from his 77th birthday when President Marcos plucked him out of retirement to serve as one of the members of the ICI, tasked with investigating anomalous infrastructure projects over the past 10 years.

“As a former public works secretary, he has a good idea of where the bodies are buried,” Marcos said of Singson in September. “That will give us an immediate advantage when the commission is doing this.”

Unlike Singson, Magalong’s exit was controversial, as he was believed to have “struck some nerves” during his two-week tenure at the commission.

Malacañang’s decision to review his appointment over a tennis court and parking building built by the Discayas left him “insulted.”

Singson is “not used to this kind of life,” Reyes said, as investigating thousands of infrastructure projects has taken a toll on his health and security.

Singson did not reply to The Philippine STAR’s request for comment.

ICI executive director Brian Keith Hosaka denied that Singson quit out of frustration.

“Whenever we work here, they were really cohesive…That’s why I don’t see any disgruntlement on the part of Secretary Singson,” he told “Storycon” on One News on Wednesday.

Singson’s resignation comes as the public remains ambivalent toward the commission. A WR Numero survey released on Wednesday found that 37 percent trust the commission, while 32 percent do not.

“Not enough people know about ICI,” AJ Montesa, data analyst and policy researcher of WR Numero, said at a briefing on Wednesday. “If there is no trust in the ICI, the administration’s primary anti-corruption initiative will also lose credibility.”

Reyes, however, said the ICI’s referrals stand as proof that the public should put its faith in the fact-finding body.

“We have been filing almost against everybody already… I think that’s enough trust that we are building on for the Filipino people,” he said.

Meanwhile, Magalong expressed regret and concern over Singson’s resignation, describing it as “sad and unfortunate.”

“What a waste, he’s very credible,” he noted.

‘ICI already dead’

For senior deputy minority leader and Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, Singson’s exit from the ICI renders the body “dead.”

“It’s already dead. ICI is dead,” Erice told “Storycon” on One News.

“Secretary Babes (Singson) has extensive experience in infrastructure… Without him, the members of that body can easily lose their way. He himself has long experience in the field,” he added.

Erice confirmed that he was referring to Singson when he previously announced that an ICI member was considering resigning from the commission.

He also recalled a recent conversation with Singson, where the former public works secretary supposedly noted the lack of support from Malacañang.

“His text message was, ‘why would he risk himself and his family just to solve the problem of Malacañang,’” Erice said.

Singson also apparently referred to the ICI as a “punching bag,” due to criticisms received by the body over its investigations on flood control projects.

“Secretary Babes was really pushing for them to have contempt powers and immunity,” added Erice.

The lawmaker also reiterated their call for Malacañang to certify as urgent the bill institutionalizing the ICI.

“(Without the legislation,) it’s not truly independent…. The ICI is not an independent commission. It will just be an investigative body of Malacañang,” he stressed.

What next?

Following Singson’s resignation from the ICI, the Makabayan bloc questioned the Palace’s seriousness in investigating and punishing those involved in the flood control mess.

“This raises fundamental questions: what prompted Singson’s resignation? Did he encounter political interference in the investigation? Was he prevented from going after the big fish? What really transpired inside the ICI?” ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Elago and Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co said in a joint statement.

Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña noted that Singson’s resignation is “a huge setback to the office’s mission to ferret out the truth and run after the perpetrators of this gargantuan corruption scandal.”

Meanwhile, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said the President must appoint a replacement “with the same level of expertise and integrity as Singson.” – With Delon Porcalla, Artemio Dumlao