ICI denies ruling on Romualdez’s guilt in flood control scandal

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), established by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in September 2025 to investigate corruption in flood control projects, has denied issuing any ruling on House Speaker Martin Romualdez's guilt in the flood control scandal. According to reports from March 2026, the ICI clarified that its recommendations were selectively quoted and that its submission to the Office of the Ombudsman contained "without any conclusion of or liability on the part of former Speaker Martin Romualdez." This clarification came after Tingog party-list Representative Jude Acidre claimed the ICI had cleared Romualdez, though it remains unclear how Acidre obtained access to the confidential ICI report.

Concurrently, the ICI has turned over all its investigative documents on anomalous flood control projects to the Department of Justice for further review and potential charges. This transfer of documents occurred as the ICI faced credibility challenges with commissioners resigning, leaving only its chair by late 2025. The ICI's investigation had previously triggered significant consequences, including the arrest of eight people on November 24, 2025, mostly Department of Public Works and Highways officials, based on ICI warrants and recommendations.

The flood control scandal involves billions of pesos allocated for flood management initiatives, with reports of "ghost" projects and substandard construction. Romualdez was implicated after Orly Guteza, former security consultant of resigned Rep. Zaldy Co, alleged that Romualdez received kickbacks from flood control projects. The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's draft report from February 2026 tagged Romualdez in a "second category" but noted no direct evidence of him receiving kickbacks, unlike primary actors.

Malacañang has stated that it is up to the Office of the Ombudsman to review the alleged ICI findings regarding Romualdez. The Palace also indicated that the ICI's fate would depend on the report submitted to President Marcos, with accountability efforts continuing through the Office of the Ombudsman and Department of Justice if the ICI is dissolved. The DOJ had previously begun investigating Romualdez in connection with the flood control corruption scandal in September 2025 and issued an immigration lookout order against him in October 2025.