Senators consult Ombudsman, DOJ on blue ribbon report
Some senators are hesitant to sign the Senate blue ribbon committee’s draft report on its flood control scandal investigation, Sen. Erwin Tulfo said on Monday.
“There are some hesitant because they’re saying, like me, the measure was lacking, weak or very strong worded. So there were different reactions,” said Tulfo, the committee vice chair, although he did not name names.
He told reporters that members of the panel met earlier with Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano, Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and officials from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
Apart from Tulfo, also present were Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda and Raffy Tulfo.
“There was an exchange of notes and ideas, There was also a briefing,” Tulfo said, adding that the draft committee report was not discussed.
“It was like a consultation, because the committee hearing is over, so we’re just polishing the committee report because we only had a draft,” he said.
Airtight case
“My question was, do we have an airtight case, because otherwise, it would just be a waste.. What are we talking about here if we do not have an airtight case?” the senator said.
“Actually, when I asked that question, they said, ‘We would not issue warrants of arrest if we have no strong case’ … I’m concerned because if we have weak cases, we are wasting our time, wasting our efforts, your effort, the Blue Ribbon, etc, etc.,” he added.
“I even asked them about the batting rate of conviction versus dismissal. They said they’re confident,” Tulfo said.
In an interview on dzBB on Sunday, Lacson, who chairs the blue ribbon panel, said that while the draft report was still a “work in progress,” the recommendation to file charges against some members of the chamber would be retained.
He identified them as Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Joel Villanueva and Francis “Chiz” Escudero, in addition to several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Last week, Lacson confirmed that former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, and former DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan were also implicated in the draft report.
However, the committee has yet to find a basis for linking President Marcos to the corruption scandal, he said.
For the report to be submitted to the plenary for discussion, it needs to be signed by 11 senators, Lacson added, saying that one of them must come from the minority.
Without the required number of votes, there would be no committee report, he stressed, although he said he might submit it to the Ombudsman or DOJ as a “Chairman’s Report.”
