The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and People’s Surge national alliance of disaster survivors today denounced the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Marcos Jr. administration for their utter failure to hold any corrupt officials or contractors to account even as 74 days have passed since the investigation began and 43 days since the ICI was formed. Not one case has resulted in charges or detentions. “Halos 60 days na lang, Pasko na. Wala pang nakakasuhan at nakukulong sa mga sangkot sa korapsyon,” the groups said.

“Seventy-four days since the investigation launched, 43 days since this so-called ICI and yet no one is imprisoned, no one accountable,” said Danilo Ramos, KMP Chairperson. “The ICI has become a toothless, whitewashing agency and a political prop meant to appear busy while protecting those who are behind this massive corruption scandal.”

The ICI, created by Executive Order No. 94 on September 11in response to irregularities in flood-control and other infrastructure projects has been publicly praised by Malacañang despite its failure to produce results. The ICI stopped the live broadcasting of its hearings but announced to resume it in the coming days. KMP asserts that the commission’s existence is hollow without true prosecutions.

The KMP recalled the October 21 nationwide protests against corruption —a broad, coordinated day of action led by farmers and their allies that saw thousands march in Mendiola and various regions to denounce corruption, landlessness, and government neglect. The demonstrations highlighted how corruption in infrastructure and agricultural programs worsens rural poverty and deepens the crisis in food production.

Building off the said mass mobilizations, KMP said Black Friday Protests will continue to demand immediate prosecution of officials and contractors implicated in anomalous infrastructure contracts under the DPWH and other agencies.

Today’s Black Friday action was led by Peoples Surge National Alliance of Disaster Survivors outside the ICI office in Taguig. Protesters chanted: Marcos, Hari ng Korap, Panagutin! The alliance said Black Friday protests will continue and grow stronger every week.”

“Filipinos will not stop. We encourage all sectors to keep protesting until justice is served and those who stole from the people are held accountable,” KMP’s Ramos concluded. ###