The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has deferred its April 14 hearing on anomalous flood control projects, pending the formal submission of a sworn affidavit by former Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson and the needed signatures for the partial committee report, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon panel Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said.
Lacson said he may consider calling a hearing if Singson submits at least a copy of his draft affidavit, and if five more committee members sign the partial committee report so it can be reported out on the Senate floor.
“The Committee has deemed it necessary to reschedule the public hearing contingent on the mitigation of the current National Energy Emergency and the formal submission of your sworn affidavit, including all pertinent supporting documents. Additionally, the Committee has deferred the resumption of the hearings pending the review and signing of the Partial Committee Report currently before its members,” Lacson said in a letter to Singson, informing him of the deferment of the hearings until further notice.
“We appreciate your cooperation and will provide updates regarding the new schedule as soon as it is determined,” he added.
In Filipino: Lacson: Blue Ribbon Flood Control Hearings, Ipinagpaliban Habang Hinihintay ang Affidavit ni Singson at Pirma sa Partial Report
Lacson noted the Blue Ribbon Committee had given Singson until April 7 to submit his draft affidavit, but did not receive any response.
He said the initial invitation was sent to Singson via email last March 25. When he did not reply, the Committee sent a copy of the invitation letter to him at his residence last April 6. The letter of deferment was sent to Singson on April 7.
On the other hand, Lacson pointed out that only four members have so far signed the partial committee report – five short of the nine signatures needed to constitute a majority and allow it to be reported out on the floor.
Meanwhile, Lacson said he is considering delivering a Chairman’s Report on the flood control projects issue and forwarding it to the Ombudsman with the documents, transcripts and other evidence gathered in at least seven hearings.
“Para makatulong man lang sa kanilang ongoing preliminary investigations (This is to at least help the Ombudsman in its ongoing preliminary investigations),” he said.
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Lacson: Blue Ribbon Flood Control Hearings, Ipinagpaliban Habang Hinihintay ang Affidavit ni Singson at Pirma sa Partial Report
Ipinagpaliban ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee ang pagdinig nito sa Abril 14 kaugnay ng mga maanomalyang flood control projects, habang hinihintay ang pormal na pagsusumite ng sinumpaang salaysay mula kay dating Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson at ang kailangang mga pirma para sa partial committee report, ayon kay Senate President Pro Tempore at Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson.
Ayon kay Lacson, maaari niyang ikonsidera ang muling pagpapatawag ng pagdinig kung makapagsusumite si Singson ng kahit kopya man lamang ng kanyang draft affidavit, at kung may lima pang miyembro ng komite ang lalagda sa partial committee report upang maiprisinta ito sa plenaryo ng Senado.
“The Committee has deemed it necessary to reschedule the public hearing contingent on the mitigation of the current National Energy Emergency and the formal submission of your sworn affidavit, including all pertinent supporting documents. Additionally, the Committee has deferred the resumption of the hearings pending the review and signing of the Partial Committee Report currently before its members,” ani Lacson sa liham kay Singson, kung saan ipinaalam sa kanya ang pagpapaliban ng pagdinig “until further notice.”
“We appreciate your cooperation and will provide updates regarding the new schedule as soon as it is determined,” dagdag niya sa liham.
Sinabi ni Lacson na binigyan ng Blue Ribbon Committee si Singson hanggang Abril 7 para isumite ang kanyang draft affidavit, ngunit wala itong natanggap na tugon.
Aniya, unang ipinadala ang imbitasyon kay Singson sa pamamagitan ng email noong Marso 25. Nang walang naging sagot, nagpadala ang komite ng kopya ng liham ng imbitasyon sa kanyang tirahan noong Abril 6. Ang liham ng pagpapaliban ay ipinadala kay Singson noong Abril 7.
Ipinunto din ni Lacson na apat pa lamang na miyembro ang lumagda sa partial committee report — kulang ng lima upang maabot ang siyam na lagda na kinakailangan upang makabuo ng mayorya at maiprisinta ito sa plenaryo.
Samantala, sinabi ni Lacson na ikinokonsidera niyang maghain ng Chairman’s Report kaugnay ng isyu sa flood control projects at ipasa ito sa Ombudsman, kasama ang mga dokumento, transcript, at iba pang ebidensyang nakalap sa hindi bababa sa pitong pagdinig.
“Para makatulong man lang sa kanilang ongoing preliminary investigations,” aniya.
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