Sotto says flood probe goes on as Erwin Tulfo helms blue ribbon
The blue ribbon committee hearings on the anomalous flood control projects will continue amid the change in leadership in the powerful panel, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said on Wednesday.
Sotto confirmed that Sen. Erwin Tulfo has taken over the committee in an acting capacity following the resignation of Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson as chair.
“It will continue. The blue ribbon is always alive. That’s the only committee that has motu proprio powers,” Sotto told reporters after a caucus by the majority senators.
He said Senators JV Ejercito, Risa Hontiveros, Pia Cayetano, Raffy Tulfo and Francis Pangilinan have all declined so they could focus on their respective committees.
Erwin Tulfo, as the panel’s only vice chair, automatically assumes the post.
Just ‘acting’
Sotto said it was now up to the majority and Tulfo whether the latter’s designation will be permanent.
For now, the Senate President said, Tulfo has accepted the post.
“He accepted the post. He told me: ‘Just acting for now,’” Sotto said.
In a statement, Tulfo expressed gratitude for the trust and confidence given by his colleagues. He vowed to uphold the committee’s mandate.
“I thank Senate President Tito Sotto and my colleagues in the Senate for the trust in allowing me to serve as acting chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee,” he said.
He added that the blue ribbon committee plays a vital role in ensuring transparency and accountability in government.
“I am aware that many Filipinos rely on this committee to investigate those who took advantage of public funds, regardless of their position in government or political affiliation,” he said.
Tulfo, who is on an official trip abroad, said he was looking forward to the appointment of a permanent chairperson soon to ensure continuity and confidence in the committee’s work.
Sotto said the five candidates for chair have told him earlier they were still hoping that Lacson would change his mind.
Lacson formally resigned as chair of the blue ribbon panel last Monday.
In his resignation letter dated Oct. 7 and addressed to Sotto, Lacson noted how a number of their colleagues have expressed disappointment with the “direction” of the blue ribbon committee hearings on the anomalous flood control projects.
“Some senators publicly and secretly pursue the narrative that I am zeroing in on several of my colleagues while purportedly protecting those members of the Lower House perceived to be the principal actors in the budget anomalies related to the substandard and ghost flood control projects,” said Lacson.
He, however, denied these claims.
“This narrative is categorically false. These misrepresentations are being floated mostly by critics opposed to our efforts to get to the bottom of the flood control anomalies,” he said.
Hearings continue
Sotto, meanwhile, said committee hearings will continue despite the Senate’s scheduled adjournment on Friday.
“The reason we have this break is so that the committee hearings continue. There will be continuous hearings of the different committees and even most especially the committee on finance, almost daily,” he added.
The plenary session was suspended last week until Friday, Oct. 10, which Sotto explained, was to give priority to the committee on finance hearings.
“Sessions have been suspended since last week till Friday due to conflict with budget hearings which have to stop every 3 p.m. There are no immediate legislation in the agenda other than the [general appropriations bill] so we deemed it necessary to give way so we can have our committee meetings,” Sotto had said earlier.
Congress will be on recess until Nov. 9 and will resume session on Nov. 10. —WITH REPORTS FROM CHARIE ABARCA AND PNA
