Manila: The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Friday reaffirmed the independence of legislative inquiries as it pushed forward with its probe into alleged irregularities in flood-control projects, emphasizing that parallel criminal or administrative cases do not impede the chamber's oversight mandate. Committee chairperson Senator Panfilo Lacson opened the hearing by citing Article I, Section 2 of the Blue Ribbon Rules, which states that the filing of criminal or administrative actions 'shall not stop or abate any inquiry to carry out a legislative purpose.'
According to Philippines News Agency, this principle remains crucial as the committee continues to examine testimonies and evidence involving public officials and contractors. 'Our invitation was directed to Mr. Zaldy Co himself, not to his lawyer,' Lacson said, responding to counsel lawyer Ruy Alberto Rondain's manifestation expressing apprehension that appearing before the Senate might pre-empt the lawmaker's defenses in other venues. He emphasized that the Senate exercises a distinct and independent function. 'Let me state clearly that this Committee takes strong exception to that statement,' he added, noting that the concern raised by Co's counsel does not override the Senate's constitutional oversight role.
Lacson also placed on record House Speaker Faustino 'Bojie' Dy III's reply explaining the absence of House members implicated in previous testimonies, citing their ongoing engagement with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure. Several other invited personalities likewise submitted excuse letters, including contractor Jonathan Quirante, who needed to oversee operations in typhoon-hit project sites; Eumir Villanueva, who had a prior engagement; and Engr. Arjay Domasig, who was scheduled to appear at the Department of Justice. Medical reasons were also cited by Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region Director Gerard Opulencia, South Manila District Engineer Manny Bulusan, and Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana.
To ensure a complete and transparent record, the Committee sought assistance from the Bureau of Immigration (BI). In its response, the BI reported no record of departure for Mark Baquiran Bunagan, Orly Regala Guteza, and Mark Tecsay; confirmed the return of Allan Colesio from a brief trip; and disclosed that John Paul Estrada - identified as an aide to Co - left the country for Hong Kong on Sept. 2 and has not returned.
Lacson reported to the committee an order from Manila Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Carolina Icasiano-Sison, outlining discrepancies in the notarial details of Guteza's sworn statement. Supported by an NBI forensic analysis, the court found that the signature on the affidavit was not written by lawyer Petchie Rose Espera and that her notarial entries were falsified. 'These findings are important to place on record before we proceed,' Lacson said.
