Should he be reelected as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee when the Senate resumes session on Nov. 10, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson will set the panel’s next hearing on anomalous flood control projects on Nov. 14.
Lacson said a “very important witness” will be invited to the hearing to speed up the filing of airtight cases against some politicians, Department of Public Works and Highways officials and erring contractors.
He added retired T/Sgt. Orly Guteza will also be invited to the next hearing.
“If elected again as Blue Ribbon chairman on Nov 10, our hearing will resume on Nov 14. To help speed up the filing of airtight cases against some politicians, DPWH officials and errant contractors, we will invite among others, a ‘very important witness’ and retired T/Sgt Orly Guteza to shed more light on his ‘sinumpaang salaysay,'” he said in a post on X.
In Filipino: Lacson: Susunod na Blue Ribbon Hearing sa Nob. 14; ‘Very Important Witness’ Imbitado
Guteza is the “witness” presented by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta at the panel’s Sept. 25 hearing. Marcoleta said Guteza was referred to him by ex-Rep. Michael Defensor.
In his testimony, Guteza claimed that he delivered suitcases of cash, which he said was codenamed “basura (trash)”, to the homes of ex-Rep. Elizaldy Co and former Speaker Martin Romualdez. Romualdez denied the allegations.
Lacson said the Blue Ribbon Committee left the investigation of the possible violation in Guteza’s notarized document to the Executive Judge of the Manila Regional Trial Court, after Atty. Petchie Rose Espera denied notarizing, signing or participating in the preparation of Guteza’s affidavit.
On the other hand, Lacson said he has discussed with Senate President Vicente Sotto III the idea of giving Lacson back the Blue Ribbon Committee chairmanship, after he vacated the post last Oct. 6 due to some members of the majority airing “disappointment” over his handling of the proceedings. Many members of the majority were since quoted as wanting Lacson to return.
Lacson maintained that he will maintain a blindfold mentality, meaning he will be impartial and go where the evidence leads him.
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Lacson: Susunod na Blue Ribbon Hearing sa Nob. 14; ‘Very Important Witness’ Imbitado
Kung mahalal muli siya bilang chairman ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, itatakda ni Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson sa Nobyembre 14 ang susunod na pagdinig ng komite para talakayin ang mga maanomalyang flood control project.
Ani Lacson, imbitado ang isang “very important witness” upang mapabilis ang paghahain ng mga matibay na kaso laban sa ilang tiwaling politiko, opisyal ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), at kontraktor.
Dagdag niya, imbitado din sa susunod na pagdinig si retired T/Sgt. Orly Guteza.
“If elected again as Blue Ribbon chairman on Nov 10, our hearing will resume on Nov 14. To help speed up the filing of airtight cases against some politicians, DPWH officials and errant contractors, we will invite among others, a ‘very important witness’ and retired T/Sgt Orly Guteza to shed more light on his ‘sinumpaang salaysay,'” aniya sa post sa X.
Si Guteza ang “witness” na iniharap ni Sen. Rodante Marcoleta sa pagdinig ng komite noong Setyembre 25. Ayon kay Marcoleta, si Guteza ay inirekomenda sa kanya ni dating Rep. Michael Defensor.
Ani Guteza, naghatid umano siya ng mga maletang naglalaman ng pera — na tinawag umanong “basura” — sa mga tahanan nina dating Rep. Elizaldy Co at dating Speaker Martin Romualdez. Itinanggi ni Romualdez ang mga paratang.
Ipinagkatiwala ng Blue Ribbon Committee ang pag-imbestiga sa posibleng paglabag sa notarized document ni Guteza sa Executive Judge ng Manila Regional Trial Court, matapos itinanggi ni Atty. Petchie Rose Espera na pinanotaryo, nilagdaan, o nilahukan niya ang paghahanda ng affidavit ni Guteza.
Samantala, binanggit ni Lacson na napag-usapan nila ni Senate President Vicente Sotto III ang posibilidad na maibalik sa kanya ang pagiging chairman ng Blue Ribbon Committee, matapos niyang lisanin ang puwesto noong Oktubre 6 dahil sa ilang miyembro ng mayorya na nagpahayag ng “disappointment” sa paraan ng kanyang paghawak sa mga pagdinig.
Mula noon, marami sa mga miyembro ng mayorya ang nagpahayag ng kagustuhang bumalik si Lacson sa nasabing posisyon.
Ipinunto ni Lacson na patuloy siyang magiging patas sa paghawak ng imbestigasyon, at susundin niya ang “blindfold mentality” kung saan hahayaan niyang ang ebidensya ang magturo ng direksyon ng imbestigasyon.
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