Metro Manila, Philippines – Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said he is planning to deliver a privilege speech containing his progress report on the flood control corruption scandal as chairman of the blue ribbon committee, to make public the panel’s partial findings despite lack of signatures for plenary sponsorship.
In a series of text messages to NewsWatch Plus on Monday, April 27, Lacson confirmed he has finished drafting the report, which contains a synopsis of the partial committee report and information gathered from past hearings.
“Unfortunately, I cannot sponsor the [partial committee] report for interpolation, amendments prior to adoption in plenary of the same due to lack of signatures,” Lacson said.
He said he could instead deliver a privilege speech to make the findings part of the public record and pave the way for the resumption of the probe, which has been stalled due to insufficient support for the partial committee report.
“That is the intention, not to mention, so I’ll be able to share the report and our recommendations with the ombudsman since magiging public record na iyan [it will become public record] after I have presented it by way of a privilege speech,” Lacson said.
“Sayang kasi – para mapakinabangan ang evidence kesa mapanis lang [It would be a waste if the evidence is put to no use],” he added.
He said he will deliver his speech titled “The Chairman’s FCP Progress Report” “soon after” the resumption of session on May 4.
Partial committee report
It has been more than two months since the partial committee report was circulated among members, but only six have signed so far: Lacson, committee vice chairperson Erwin Tulfo, Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan, and Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III as ex-officio member.
“At least kung privilege speech, since ayaw mag pirma ng ibang members, I don’t have to consult them,” he said.
[Translation: At least with a privilege speech, since some members refuse to sign, I no longer have to consult them.]
Among the report’s findings is a recommendation to investigate lawmakers allegedly involved in the scandal, namely, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, and Joel Villanueva, all of whom have denied allegations of budget insertions and kickbacks tied to flood control projects.
The committee members who have not signed the report:
JV Ejercito
Pia Cayetano
Win Gatchalian
Lito Lapid
Loren Legarda
Raffy Tulfo
Mark Villar
Rodante Marcoleta
Joel Villanueva
Jinggoy Estrada
Bong Go
Imee Marcos
Robin Padilla
(Ex-officio members: Majority Leader Migz Zubiri, Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano)
Inviting Romualdez
Over the weekend, Lacson said he plans to invite Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez again to the next hearing, following the former speaker’s release of a video denying he was the alleged mastermind.
Lacson is eyeing a faceoff between Romualdez, former House appropriations chairperson Zaldy Co, and former soldiers who testified they served as their bagmen.
In a radio interview on Monday, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, whom Lacson replaced as blue ribbon chairman after a leadership shakeup, accused Lacson of imposing conditions before summoning Romualdez.
In response, Lacson said he could only invite Romualdez, not compel his attendance, in keeping with long-standing inter-parliamentary courtesy.
“That’s why, the Senate always courses all invitations to congressmen to appear and testify before our committee hearings through the Speaker of the House which the BRC did at least twice already – unless magkusa ang individual congressmen [unless individual congressmen volunteer],” Lacson said.
“Hindi pa rin ba pumapasok sa bumbunan niya yun [Has that still not sunk in],” he added.
