Tag: flood control projects

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Lacson Plans to Invite Co, Ex-Soldiers to Next Blue Ribbon Hearing

Once its partial committee report on the flood control scandal is formally filed, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee may invite to its next hearing captured former Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co – along with Orly Guteza and the former soldiers who claimed to have delivered P805 billion in alleged kickbacks from anomalous flood projects to various personalities on Co’s orders.

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon panel Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday that the testimonies of Guteza and the ex-soldiers are “interconnected” with Co.

“Once Co is in the Philippines and the court allows it, I plan to have him attend the hearing along with Guteza and the ex-soldiers so we will find out who is truthful, who is telling half-truths, and who is lying,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

In Filipino: Lacson Plano Imbitahan si Co, Mga Ex-Sundalo sa Susunod na Blue Ribbon Hearing

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Lacson: Support Builds for Blue Ribbon Flood Control Partial Report as 2 Sign, More Signal Backing

Support is building for the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s partial committee report on the flood control mess, with at least two more senators signing, and others signaling willingness to do so, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Thursday.

Lacson said that as of Wednesday, Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Blue Ribbon vice chairman Erwin Tulfo signed the partial report, while “at least two others” hinted they would do the same.

“As of yesterday, two other colleagues also signed – Senate President Sotto as ex-officio and Sen. Erwin Tulfo, BRC Vice Chairman. At least two others have indicated their willingness to sign,” he said.

“One of the reasons why the other majority members have not signed or at least reluctant to do so is that they were being ‘requested’ by some of their former majority bloc colleagues,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: 2 Lumagda, Iba Pa Nagpahiwatig ng Suporta sa Flood Control Partial Report

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Lacson: Blue Ribbon Panel Pushing Ban on Allocables and Leadership Fund

Abolish the system of allocables and the “leadership fund” from the national budget, strengthen transparency in the budget process, and expand the powers of the Office of the Ombudsman to pursue corruption cases.

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday that these are among the emerging recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Committee’s probe into anomalous flood control projects.

These are aside from the Blue Ribbon Committee’s hearings being instrumental in the ongoing preliminary investigations of the Department of Justice and the Ombudsman into key figures involved in the scandal – including former and incumbent lawmakers – as well as the trial happening at the Sandiganbayan, he emphasized.

Lacson pointed out that “almost all the recommendations in the partial committee report have already been overtaken by events as they are already being undertaken and in fact the said preliminary investigations are nearing completion if not completed already.”

“(Kasama sa rekomendasyon ng komite ang) ibawal ang allocables at leadership fund. Ito ang reporma tungkol sa budget. Tapos gawing transparent, of course ginawa namin sa 2026 budget, transparent ang entire budgeting process (Among the committee’s recommendations are to ban allocables and the leadership fund as part of reforms in the budgeting system. And make the crafting of the budget transparent, similar to what we did for the 2026 General Appropriations Act),” Lacson said in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: Blue Ribbon Panel, Itinutulak ang Pagbabawal sa Allocables at Leadership Fund

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Lacson: Blue Ribbon Flood Control Hearings Deferred Pending Singson Affidavit, Signatures for Partial Report

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

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Lacson: Former Governor Singson Offers to Testify on Flood Control Mess

Former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson has offered to testify before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson said he has tentatively scheduled the next hearing of the Blue Ribbon panel on April 14, but added this could be held “much earlier.”

“He sent a letter, he indicated he wanted to testify. Sabi ko yes if you are testifying on flood control projects, we will schedule a hearing. Tentatively we scheduled it for April 14. but if we can hold it much earlier, why not?” Lacson said in an interview.

In Filipino: Lacson: Dating Gobernador Singson, Nag-Alok na Magpatestigo sa Flood Control Issue

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