Lacson cancels Blue Ribbon panel's flood control probe next week
By Dhel Nazario
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson confirmed on Saturday night, Oct. 4, that he has cancelled the next Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the anomalous flood control projects next week "until further notice".
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (Senate PRIB photo)
In a Viber message, Lacson, who chairs the investigative panel, initially scheduled the hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 8, upon the request of Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito to summon former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Director Engineer Gerald Pacanan.
"To maximize the discussions, I checked with the Department of Justice (DOJ) if the supposed 'tell-all' affidavit/s of the Discayas were already available," Lacson said.
"Corollary to that, I also checked with the office of the executive judge of Manila RTC if they have concluded the investigation on the possible violations of the notarized document involving TSgt. [Orly] Guteza and Atty. [Petchie Rose] Espera," he added.
Having been informed that both would not be ready within one week, and that the BRC hearing will be in conflict with the nationql budget and Commission on Appointment (CA) hearings, Lacson said that he informed Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III of the cancellation "until further notice".
Meanwhile, Sotto said that they're still discussing the invitation for Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez and resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co to attend the hearing.