Progressive groups stormed and held a flash protest at the the Marcos regime’s Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) office, catching guards by surprise, in Taguig City on October 24. They condemned the ICI and the Marcos regime for incompetence and failing to hold corrupt government officials accountable more than 40 days after the ICI was established and more than 70 days since the investigations began.

Disaster victims’ alliance People’s Surge, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, and the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (PNE) led the protest. Joining the action were the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap and environmental groups. These same groups had stormed the office of the Discayas, contractors involved in corruption, in Pasig City during the first week of September.

Marcos created the government agency ICI through Executive Order No. 94 on September 11 as a token response to public demands for accountability in corruption cases. Various groups have criticized the ICI for refusing to livestream or make its hearings and proceedings accessible to the public.

“Nearly 60 days before Christmas, yet not one corruption case has resulted in charges or detention,” People’s Surge and KMP said. They asserted that this only shows that the ICI is toothless, a cover up to protect other culprits, and a Marcos’ performative pretentious act amid public outrage.

“This is not an investigation, but an opportunity for them to fabricate new excuses, burn evidence, dismiss thieves, and hide what they stole from the people,” Kalikasan-PNE’s Jonila Castro said.

At the protest, the groups demanded an investigation into Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the king of corruption, and Sara Duterte, the queen of corruption in the country. They demand holding the Marcoses, the Dutertes, and all involved bureaucrat-capitalists accountable.

They further denounced the regime’s attacks on young people and citizens protesting against corruption. According to the groups, no corrupt official has been held accountable or imprisoned, yet the number of citizens facing criminal charges, harassment, detention, and persecution by state forces continues to increase.