Tag: Martin Romualdez

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Lacson: Why Did Ex-DPWH Chief Bonoan Take Project ‘Memos’ from ‘Outsiders’?

Why did ex-Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Sec. Manuel Bonoan receive handwritten “memos” from civilians or non-organic DPWH personnel on which projects to endorse when he headed the department?

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson bared this Tuesday as the Senate continues to look into the effects of corruption behind anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects.

“I am baffled by the documents I saw, where Bonoan received handwritten memos that turned out to be from civilians or non-organic DPWH personnel. How did these memos, which were scribbled on Post-It notes, get to Bonoan?” Lacson said in Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

“That’s the hard part. Such communications didn’t go through the official channels of the department. Why is the secretary dealing with them directly?” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Ex-DPWH Chief Bonoan Tumanggap ng mga “Memo” Mula sa Tagalabas?

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Lacson: Next Blue Ribbon Hearing on Nov. 14; ‘Very Important Witness’ to be Invited

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

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Lacson: Ex-Rep. Zaldy Co Will be Invited to Blue Ribbon Hearing; Former Speaker Romualdez to be Invited through Speaker

Resigned Rep. Elizaldy Co and former Speaker Martin Romualdez will be invited to the next hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson said this should debunk the perception of some sectors that the Blue Ribbon Committee is targeting, favoring or even “protecting” some personalities.

“For the next hearing of the committee, we will send an invitation letter to his address. Now we know he is abroad and will not show up. If that is the case, we will issue a subpoena, and then a show-cause order,” Lacson said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on NET25. “We are not covering up for anyone here.”

“If the show-cause order is not satisfactory, we will cite him in contempt of the committee and issue a warrant for his arrest,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Ex-Rep. Zaldy Co Iimbitahan sa Blue Ribbon Hearing, Former Speaker Romualdez Iimbitahan din via Speaker Dy

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Lacson: Background Check on ‘Totally Surprise Witness’ Guteza Needed

A full record check and background investigation (RCBI) on “surprise witness” Orly Regala Guteza will be needed due to the gravity of his testimony at Thursday’s Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, Senate President Pro Tempore and Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday.

Lacson noted that Guteza, who claims to be a former Marine and ex-security consultant of Rep. Elizaldy Co, was presented before the committee Thursday without even the courtesy of notice.

Further complicating matters was that the lawyer whose signature and notarial details appeared in Guteza’s affidavit denied notarizing or preparing the document.

“Without the courtesy of notice even to the committee chairman, a totally surprise witness in yesterday’s Blue Ribbon hearing, a complete record check and background investigation on Orly Regala Guteza is in order owing to the gravity and seriousness of his testimony yesterday,” Lacson said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Kailangan ang Background Check sa ‘Totally Surprise Witness’ na si Guteza

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On Opening the Budget Bicam Deliberations to the Public

I have always fought for opening the bicameral conference deliberations on the budget measure to the public, or at least to accredited non-government organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs) and the media.

One of the 10 priority bills that I will file starting June 30 is a bill to ensure transparency in the bicam deliberations on the national budget bill – a proposed measure I have filed in past Congresses. I hope there will be a counterpart bill in the House for my bill in the Senate.

That being said, I am hopeful that such transparency will materialize in the 20th Congress, as House members led by Speaker Martin Romualdez have voiced support for opening the bicam deliberations to the public.

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In Filipino: Sa Pagbukas ng Budget Bicam Deliberations sa Publiko

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