Blue Ribbon To Conclude Flood Control Probe, Shift Focus To Farm-To-Market Roads

The Senate Blue Ribbon committee’s hearings on the multibillion-peso flood control corruption scandal are set to conclude with two remaining sessions next month, acting chairman Sen. Erwin Tulfo said on Saturday, Oct. 11.

Tulfo said the next hearing has been tentatively scheduled for Nov. 10, after the Senate’s month-long break, to ensure the attendance of senators who are currently on official trips or attending public events.

The upcoming sessions will culminate in a partial committee report, which will be followed by a new round of inquiries – this time into the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)’s spending on farm-to-market road (FMR) projects.

“I’ll make sure the hearings proceed continuously, almost every week,” Tulfo said over radio dwIZ.

Tulfo intends to continue the line of inquiry pursued by former chairman Sen. Panfilo Lacson, particularly in summoning former speaker Martin Romualdez and resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, who are key figures linked to the alleged project corruption.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III backed this move so the two lawmakers can face their accuser, Co’s alleged security consultant Orly Guteza, who claimed to have delivered cash-filled suitcases containing kickbacks to their residences.

According to Sotto, Co may be compelled to appear before the Senate and could face arrest for contempt if he repeatedly ignores the summons, while Romualdez may be invited directly in accordance with inter-parliamentary courtesy.

Aside from the flood control project anomalies, Co is also expected to account for his connections to Hi-Tone Construction, the contractor allegedly tied to the Department of Agriculture’s FMR projects, which were earlier flagged as “overpriced by P10 billion.”

Due to this, the panel will also invite Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to answer questions related to the matter.

“I’ve already instructed the Senate Blue Ribbon secretariat to send invitations to Romualdez, the contractors and the DA secretary for the farm-to-market road hearings,” Tulfo said.

Explaining the committee’s shift in focus, Tulfo emphasized that the Blue Ribbon’s role is not to prosecute but to craft laws that prevent lawmakers and their allies from manipulating the national budget for personal gain.

“Our hearings are not for conviction. They are in aid of legislation,” he said.

He added that the committee’s forthcoming recommendations may include penalties such as perpetual disqualification for public officials caught interfering in the National Expenditure Program or diverting unprogrammed funds for political purposes.

Where is Guteza?

Tulfo urged Guteza to resurface and stand by his allegations that Co and Romualdez received cash-filled suitcases in an alleged multibillion-peso flood control kickback scheme.

Tulfo said Guteza has not been seen since his appearance before the committee and that he would coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation to locate him.

“At this point, we have to find Guteza. I’ll coordinate with director Santiago of the NBI,” Tulfo said. “If you’re listening, Mr. Guteza, it’s better for you to come forward. You testified under oath – now you’re missing. It looks like you’re hiding, or you made it up. You need to stand by your words.”

He added that Guteza should be ready to face those he accused, saying both Co and Romualdez may appear in upcoming hearings. – With an additional report from Marc Jayson Cayabyab