While seeing the fate that befell some of his colleagues in the flood control project scandal is painful, the evidence has spoken, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.
Lacson, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, maintained that the investigation into the issue must be fair and follow where the evidence leads, and not target or cover up for anyone.
“It is not a pleasant thing to see some of our colleagues face charges or jail due to the flood control scandal. But painful as it is, I have always maintained that we will go where the evidence leads us. We will not force ourselves to look for evidence that will target certain people including our colleagues in the Senate,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.
“It is painful for me particularly, and for other senators who participate in the hearings. But we cannot do anything about it. If we will investigate mainly in aid of legislation just to cover up for some people, we might as well not investigate at all,” he added.
In Filipino: Lacson: Masakit ang Makitang Sinapit ng Ilang Kasamahan sa Flood Control Mess, Ngunit Nagsalita Na ang Ebidensya
Lacson pointed out that in his opening statement at the hearing of the Blue Ribbon Committee last Monday, he stressed that the investigation will not target or cover up for anyone.
“Fair is fair. That is why I maintain that there is integrity in the hearings of the Blue Ribbon Committee, in fairness to the members who actively participate,” he said.
During the Blue Ribbon Committee hearings, several pieces of evidence – including documents and testimonies – were presented that linked some senators to irregularities in flood control projects.
Much of the evidence used to build cases against those involved stemmed from the committee hearings, Lacson noted.
He added that is why the attempts by some colleagues to belittle the Blue Ribbon’s work is insulting, “and at the very least unfair, not just to me but the members who have actively participated and contributed in no small measure to the ongoing investigations by the Ombudsman and Department of Justice.”
“We give copies of the evidence the committee gathered to the Ombudsman and DOJ. Through that, they had enough evidence to establish probable cause, that’s why there are now arrest warrants being issued,” he said.
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Lacson: Masakit ang Makitang Sinapit ng Ilang Kasamahan sa Flood Control Mess, Ngunit Nagsalita Na ang Ebidensya
Bagama’t masakit makita ang sinapit ng ilan sa kanyang mga kasamahan sa iskandalo ng mga maanomalyang flood control project, nagsalita na ang ebidensya, ayon kay Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson ngayong Miyerkules.
Diin ni Lacson, na namumuno sa Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, dapat maging patas ang imbestigasyon sa naturang isyu, at susunod lamang kung saan patungo ang ebidensya, nang hindi namimili ng titirahin o pagtatakpan.
“Hindi nakakatuwa ito na ang mga kasamahan namin na-involve. At ito ang sinasabi natin, masakit man pero lagi kong sinasabi kung saan kami dadalhin ng evidence doon kami pupunta. Di ang kami magpilit maghanap ng ebidensya laban sa mga tao na iba pa naman kasama namin sa Senado,” aniya sa panayam sa DZMM radio.
“Masakit sa amin yan. Sa akin particularly. At nararamdaman din ito ng ilang member na regularly and actively nagpa-participate. Pero wala tayong magagawa. Kung maginvestigate tayo, mainly in aid of legislation, para pagtakpan ang ibang personalities e huwag na lang tayo magimbestiga,” dagdag niya.
Binalikan ni Lacson ang kanyang opening statement sa pagdinig ng Blue Ribbon Committee noong Lunes, kung saan niya binigyang-diin na hindi gagamitin ang imbestigasyon para mang-target o magprotekta ng sinuman.
“Fair is fair. Kaya mine-maintain ko may integrity ang ginagawang pagdinig ng Blue Ribbon Committee, in fairness to members who are actively participating,” aniya.
Sa mga nakaraang pagdinig ng Blue Ribbon Committee, iba’t ibang ebidensya — kabilang ang mga dokumento at testimonya — ang iprinisinta na nag-uugnay sa ilang senador sa mga iregularidad sa mga flood control project.
Ani Lacson, karamihan sa mga ebidensyang ginamit sa pagbuo ng mga kaso laban sa mga sangkot ay nagmula sa mga pagdinig ng komite. Dahil dito, dagdag niya, hindi lang nakakainsulto ang tangka ng ilang kapwa senador na maliitin ang trabaho ng Blue Ribbon Committee.
“(It is also) at the very least unfair, not just to me but the members who have actively participated and contributed in no small measure to the ongoing investigations by the Ombudsman and Department of Justice,” aniya.
“Binibigyan namin ng kopya ang nakukuha naming evidence, pati mga testimony, ang DOJ and Ombudsman. Kaya sila nakakuha ng sapat na evidence para makapag-establish ng probable cause kaya ngayon may arrest warrants na lumabas,” saad niya.
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