'Flood control probe may continue if new witnesses, evidence emerge'

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate’s probe into alleged irregularities in government flood control projects may continue if new evidence and witnesses surface, but stressed that affidavits must first be submitted in advance, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said on Friday.

Gatchalian pointed out that since the former blue ribbon committee chairperson Sen. Panfilo Lacson has only submitted a “partial report”, the investigations may still continue.

“That depends. It can still proceed if new evidence and new witnesses emerge because, if we recall, the report submitted by Senator [Ping] Lacson was only a partial report so it can still continue,” Gatchalian said in Filipino in an dzMM interview.

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“What is important here is that if there is new evidence or new witnesses, they should submit affidavits and documents so the committee can study them,” he added.

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Gatchalian made the remark when asked whether the Senate would continue investigating allegations surrounding flood control projects following the recent leadership change in the chamber.

He likewise cautioned against using Senate inquiries as venues for unsubstantiated accusations.

“What we do not want is for the committee to be used merely for accusations. It is easy to accuse, but what is important is evidence and testimony,” he said.

The flood control inquiry earlier became entangled in the Senate leadership, with the Gatchalian and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano blocs conducting separate hearings amid questions over control of the blue ribbon committee.

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The Cayetano bloc conducted a hearing on June 4, during which 18 men represented by lawyer Levito Baligod made allegations linking several public officials to the alleged flood control scandal.

Days later, the reorganized blue ribbon committee under Sen. Erwin Tulfo invited the same group to attend a consultative meeting.

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While the 18 men appeared at the Senate complex, they did not attend the proceedings and instead proceeded to the office of Sen. Robinhood Padilla.

Referring to the incident, Gatchalian said the group had already been given an opportunity to present its claims before the Senate.

“That was insulting and, to me, it made a mockery of the hearing. It also wasted the opportunity to tell the truth,” he said.

“As far as I’m concerned, they were given the opportunity, but they wasted it,” he added.

“The truth does not choose sides. Whether the chairman is your ally, not your ally, or someone you do not even know, you should tell the truth,” /gsg

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