Minority Blocking Flood Control Probe - Tulfo

MANILA, Philippines — Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair Sen. Erwin Tulfo accused the minority bloc of obstructing the resumption of the flood control budget probe. Tulfo highlighted the 'obvious' reason for their change of stance, noting they previously pushed for the investigation but now seek its cessation. In a press conference on Tuesday, July 28, Tulfo stated, 'Actually, the one blocking, to tell you the truth, honestly, is the other side. It's not us in the majority.' He urged the minority to be upfront with the media and the public on why they want the investigation halted. Pressed on the reason for the minority's desire to stop the probe, Tulfo implied it was 'obvious' based on whom former chair Sen. Ping Lacson had recently been urging for investigation. Lacson had raised allegations of multibillion-peso 'ghost' flood control projects in Taguig City, the bailiwick of Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, leading to a public feud. Cayetano has denied Lacson's claims and challenged him to produce concrete proof. Lacson's partial committee report as former blue ribbon chair had recommended that the Ombudsman further investigate Sens. Chiz Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, and Joel Villanueva over alleged kickbacks from flood control works. Estrada has since been charged with plunder and graft. According to Tulfo, the committee targets to resume hearings next week, but the membership must first be formalized on the Senate floor. Hearings cannot proceed until the membership is officially declared, he explained. Tulfo also commented on Lacson's decision to bring his allegations of anomalies in Taguig's infrastructure projects directly to the Ombudsman, stating the committee would stay out of that case. He suggested Lacson might have wanted to fast-track the cases. The committee remains open to complaints against other government officials beyond the flood control issue. Tulfo first took over the Blue Ribbon Committee in an acting capacity in October after Lacson resigned as chair, citing colleagues' disappointment with the 'direction' of the flood control hearings. He was elected chairperson in June following a leadership shake-up in the chamber. Source: Philstar Nation