Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” Lacson announced on Tuesday that resigned Ako Bicol party-list Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez will be summoned to the next Senate hearing on alleged corruption involving flood control projects.
In a press release, Lacson emphasized that the move is intended to dispel claims that the Senate is protecting powerful figures linked to the controversy. “We are not covering up for anyone. If Co ignores the invitation, we will issue a subpoena and, if needed, a warrant of arrest,” Lacson said in an interview with NET25.
Romualdez, who previously served as Speaker of the House of Representatives, will be invited by current Speaker Faustino Dy III in line with inter-parliamentary courtesy. Lacson stressed that the Blue Ribbon inquiry will continue as long as new evidence surfaces.
“Nobody is being targeted. Neither will anyone be spared. I will not be distracted by the noise that I am partial to. My guiding principle is to go where the evidence leads,” he added.
The Senate investigation was prompted by revelations of alleged “ghost” or substandard flood control projects reportedly costing billions of pesos. Co, who resigned from Congress earlier this week while staying abroad, has been at the center of accusations linking him to questionable insertions in the national budget. Romualdez, meanwhile, has been tagged in reports suggesting his influence over fund allocations, though he has yet to publicly address the matter.
Lacson underscored that accountability will be enforced regardless of political affiliation. He reiterated that the Blue Ribbon panel’s mandate is to uphold transparency in government spending, especially in projects crucial to disaster preparedness and public safety.
Meanwhile, changes were also announced within the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). Former Philippine National Police chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. will take over as adviser, replacing Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who recently stepped down. Lacson acknowledged Magalong’s resignation as a loss to the commission but expressed confidence in Azurin’s integrity and leadership.
The next Blue Ribbon hearing is expected to draw significant public attention as both Co and Romualdez have been prominent figures in Congress. Their testimonies could shape the direction of the ongoing probe into alleged corruption in infrastructure spending. Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” Lacson announced on Tuesday that resigned Ako Bicol party-list Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez will be summoned to the next Senate hearing on alleged corruption involving flood control projects.
In a press release, Lacson emphasized that the move is intended to dispel claims that the Senate is protecting powerful figures linked to the controversy. “We are not covering up for anyone. If Co ignores the invitation, we will issue a subpoena and, if needed, a warrant of arrest,” Lacson said in an interview with NET25.
Romualdez, who previously served as Speaker of the House of Representatives, will be invited by current Speaker Faustino Dy III in line with inter-parliamentary courtesy. Lacson stressed that the Blue Ribbon inquiry will continue as long as new evidence surfaces.
“Nobody is being targeted. Neither will anyone be spared. I will not be distracted by the noise that I am partial to. My guiding principle is to go where the evidence leads,” he added.
The Senate investigation was prompted by revelations of alleged “ghost” or substandard flood control projects reportedly costing billions of pesos. Co, who resigned from Congress earlier this week while staying abroad, has been at the center of accusations linking him to questionable insertions in the national budget. Romualdez, meanwhile, has been tagged in reports suggesting his influence over fund allocations, though he has yet to publicly address the matter.
Lacson underscored that accountability will be enforced regardless of political affiliation. He reiterated that the Blue Ribbon panel’s mandate is to uphold transparency in government spending, especially in projects crucial to disaster preparedness and public safety.
Meanwhile, changes were also announced within the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). Former Philippine National Police chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. will take over as adviser, replacing Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who recently stepped down. Lacson acknowledged Magalong’s resignation as a loss to the commission but expressed confidence in Azurin’s integrity and leadership.
The next Blue Ribbon hearing is expected to draw significant public attention as both Co and Romualdez have been prominent figures in Congress. Their testimonies could shape the direction of the ongoing probe into alleged corruption in infrastructure spending.