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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senate blue ribbon panel cancels Zoom testimony for Zaldy Co

Senate blue ribbon panel cancels Zoom testimony for Zaldy Co

Published Nov 13, 2025 03:26 pm

At A Glance

  • Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon panel chairman Panfilo "Ping Lacson said he withdrew the plan as this could provide Co a platform to just say anything he wants and eventually launch a "propaganda" without the risk of being cited in contempt.
Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (Contributed photo)
Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (Contributed photo)

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has canceled its plan to allow former congressman Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co to testify on the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects online or via Zoom.

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon panel chairman Panfilo “Ping Lacson said he withdrew the plan as this could provide Co a platform to just say anything he wants and eventually launch a “propaganda” without the risk of being cited in contempt.

“I didn’t push through with the initial plan to invite him (Co) via Zoom,” Lacson said in a statement on Thursday, November 13.

“On second thought, the hearing might afford him a platform to say anything he wants even with no probative value and worse for propaganda purposes only without any accountability for at least possible contempt citation,” he explained.

Nevertheless, he said Co’s camp has informed the Blue Ribbon Committee that the ex-lawmaker is undergoing medication in the United States and is thus unable to attend Friday's (Nov. 14) hearing.

“Co's lawyer informed the committee saying Co is in the US, and is undergoing medication. He asked to be excused from tomorrow's hearing,” Lacson said.

But for now, Lacson said his bigger concern now is to recover his voice in time for the Senate's deliberations on the 2026 budget bill starting Thursday, and the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the anomalous flood control projects on Friday.

Lacson, who was reelected chairman of the blue ribbon panel, also debunked the innuendos and “predictions” of Sen. Imee Marcos ahead of the scheduled flood control probe. 

“More than Sen Imee’s crystal ball, my bigger concern is how to recover my normal voice in time for tomorrow’s BRC hearing or this afternoon’s budget plenary debates which I have intended to interpellate,” he said.

“I’ve lost my voice since yesterday after drinking ice cold water with a sore throat last Tuesday night,” he said.

Sen. Marcos, a member of the Senate minority bloc, had earlier said she received reports that key witnesses in the flood control project anomalies will recant their testimonies due to threats. 

The President’s sister also said she expects that the House lawmakers who will attend the hearing will clear former House speaker Martin Romualdez of any liability in the controversy.

Related Tags

Zaldy Co flood control probe Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Ping Lacson
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