There will be no more testimony via Zoom for former Rep. Elizaldy Co at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects, Senate President and Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Thursday.
Lacson said allowing Co to participate virtually in the hearing might give him a platform to say anything he wants, with his testimony lacking probative value – or worse, “propaganda” without the risk of being cited in contempt.
“I didn’t push through with the initial plan to invite him (Co) via Zoom. On second thought, the hearing might afford him a platform to say anything he wants even with no probative value and worse for propaganda purposes only without any accountability for at least possible contempt citation,” he said.
In Filipino: Lacson: Wala Nang Zoom Testimony para kay Zaldy Co
Also, he said Co’s camp informed the Blue Ribbon Committee that the ex-lawmaker is undergoing medication in the United States and is thus unable to attend Friday’s hearing.
“Co’s lawyer informed the committee saying Co is in the US, and is undergoing medication. He asked to be excused from tomorrow’s hearing,” Lacson said.
Meanwhile, Lacson said his bigger concern now is to recover his voice in time for the Senate’s deliberations on the 2026 budget bill starting Thursday, and the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the anomalous flood control projects on Friday.
Lacson, who is under medication after losing his voice Tuesday night, debunked the innuendoes and “predictions” made by Sen. Ma. Imelda Josefa Remedios “Imee” Marcos about Friday’s Blue Ribbon hearing.
“More than Sen Imee’s crystal ball, my bigger concern is how to recover my normal voice in time for tomorrow’s BRC hearing or this afternoon’s budget plenary debates which I have intended to interpellate. I’ve lost my voice since yesterday after drinking ice cold water with a sore throat last Tuesday night,” he said.
On Thursday afternoon, the Senate is to start deliberations on the proposed budget for 2026, with Lacson – an eagle-eyed watchdog of the budget – poised to participate actively.
Meanwhile, Lacson is to preside on Friday the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects.
Lacson – who was reelected chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee – reiterated he will adopt a blindfold mentality and be guided by the evidence in chairing the panel hearing.
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Lacson: Wala Nang Zoom Testimony para kay Zaldy Co
Hindi na magkakaroon ng pagkakataon si dating Rep Elizaldy Co na lumahok via Zoom sa imbestigasyon ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hinggil sa katiwalian sa likod ng maanomalyang flood control projects, ayon kay Senate President Pro Tempore at Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Huwebes.
Ayon kay Lacson, maaaring mabigyan lamang si Co ng plataporma para magsalita ng “propaganda” o ng bagay na walang basehan, na walang pananagutan o panganib na maharap sa contempt citation.
“I didn’t push through with the initial plan to invite him (Co) via Zoom. On second thought, the hearing might afford him a platform to say anything he wants even with no probative value and worse for propaganda purposes only without any accountability for at least possible contempt citation,” ani Lacson.
Dagdag niya, ipinaalam ng kampo ni Co sa Blue Ribbon Committee na ang dating mambabatas ay kasalukuyang ginagamot sa Estados Unidos, kaya hindi makadadalo sa pagdinig sa Biyernes.
“Co’s lawyer informed the committee saying Co is in the US, and is undergoing medication. He asked to be excused from tomorrow’s hearing,” ani Lacson.
Samantala, iginiit ni Lacson na ang mas pinahahalagahan niya ngayon ay ang paggaling ng kanyang boses bago ang deliberasyon ng Senado sa panukalang pambansang badyet para sa 2026 na magsisimula ngayong Huwebes, at bago ang pagdinig ng Blue Ribbon Committee hinggil sa mga kuwestiyonableng proyekto sa flood control sa Biyernes.
Pinabulaanan ni Lacson, na kasalukuyang under medication matapos mawalan ng boses noong Martes ng gabi, ang mga pahiwatig at “prediksyon” ni Sen. Ma. Imelda Josefa Remedios “Imee” Marcos tungkol sa pagdinig ng Blue Ribbon sa Biyernes.
“More than Sen Imee’s crystal ball, my bigger concern is how to recover my normal voice in time for tomorrow’s BRC hearing or this afternoon’s budget plenary debates which I have intended to interpellate. I’ve lost my voice since yesterday after drinking ice cold water with a sore throat last Tuesday night,” ani Lacson.
Ngayong Huwebes ng hapon, sisimulan ng Senado ang deliberasyon sa panukalang badyet para sa 2026, kung saan inaasahang magiging aktibo si Lacson — na kilala bilang masusing tagamasid sa paggamit ng pondo ng bayan.
Samantala, si Lacson ang mangunguna sa pagdinig ng Blue Ribbon Committee sa Biyernes na tatalakay sa umano’y katiwalian sa mga kuwestiyonableng proyekto sa flood control.
Muling binigyang-diin ni Lacson — na muling nahalal bilang chairman ng Blue Ribbon Committee — na isasagawa niya ang pagdinig nang may “blindfold mentality,” at susunod lamang sa mga ebidensiyang ilalatag sa harap ng komite.
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