Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed former Supreme Court spokesperson Brian Hosaka as the executive director of the independent body investigating anomalous flood control projects.

Marcos announced Hosaka’s appointment to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

Hosaka will be supervised by ICI chairperson Andres Reyes Jr.

According to Executive Order 94, the executive director will lead the ICI Secretariat, which provides technical and administrative support to the independent commission.

“The Executive Director shall have the rank, emoluments, and privileges of an Undersecretary,” read the EO. “The Executive Director… shall execute and administer the policies of the ICI and manage the day-to-day operations thereof.”

Hosaka is expected to determine the ICI’s organizational structure, staffing pattern, and corresponding qualification standards for all positions under the ICI. All of these will be submitted for review and approval of Marcos and the Department of Budget and Management.

Hosaka was the Supreme Court spokesperson under retired Chief Justice and currently Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, retired Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta, and current Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo.

In 2023, Marcos named him commissioner of the Governance Commission for GOCCs.

The ICI has started its investigation into flood control and related projects in the last 10 years, with some dismissed officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways surrendering luxury cars as sign of good faith and cooperation with the probe.

Other ICI members are former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and SGV & Co. country managing partner Rossana Fajardo. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong is the ICI special adviser and investigator.