Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said former House Speaker Martin Romualdez was “quite positive” when informed about the possibility of being invited to attend the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing into the anomalous flood control projects in the country.

In an interview on Bilyonaryo Thursday night, Nov. 7, Sotto confirmed that he and Romualdez had a phone conversation regarding the matter.

“We had a call,” Sotto said when asked about his communication with Romualdez.

Sotto said their discussion touched on whether it would be proper to invite the congressman directly or through the Speaker, in observance of inter-parliamentary courtesy.

“We communicated, but more or less, it was just feeling out if the inter-parliamentary courtesy would be proper or if we should invite Congressman Martin through the (House) Speaker or to directly send an invitation to him, or if it is necessary, even at this point,” Sotto said.

He added that the final decision on who to invite rests with Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson. He's set to reclaim chairmanship of the committee once plenary sessions resume on Monday, Nov. 10.

“Perhaps, the meeting of the Blue Ribbon, before the Blue Ribbon hearing itself, we can discuss it. Of course, the final say would be with the chairman, SenatorLacson. That’s his final say, who he would want to invite,” Sotto said.

Asked about their exchange, Sotto said Romualdez reacted positively.

“I mentioned something to that effect, that there is a possibility that we can send an invitation or send an invitation through. It’s possible also that he can send a manifestation or he could attend. Just in between chit-chats,” he said.

“He was quite positive about it. I did not notice any pessimism. He’s probably studying it,” Sotto added.