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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'No weight': Sotto says minority bloc's 'minority report' just a piece of paper

'No weight': Sotto says minority bloc's 'minority report' just a piece of paper

Published Jan 20, 2026 03:55 pm
Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said on Tuesday, Jan. 29, that the minority bloc's so-called "minority report" on the Blue Ribbon panel's investigation into the anomalous flood control has no value and is just a piece of paper.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, resumed its probe into alleged irregularities in flood control projects on Monday, January 19, 2026, in Pasay City. The hearing featured agenda items dubbed “Flooded Gates of Corruption,” “Flooded Gates of Hell,” and “The Philippines Under Water.” It marked the committee’s first hearing of the year, with five new witnesses presenting testimony, including three who appeared with their identities concealed. (Mark Balmores)
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, resumed its probe into alleged irregularities in flood control projects on Monday, January 19, 2026, in Pasay City. The hearing featured agenda items dubbed “Flooded Gates of Corruption,” “Flooded Gates of Hell,” and “The Philippines Under Water.” It marked the committee’s first hearing of the year, with five new witnesses presenting testimony, including three who appeared with their identities concealed. (Mark Balmores)
He explained in a phone interview that a minority report is only entertained after a main committee report is released.
"Walang nauunang minority report (There's no minority report that comes first)," he said.
Sotto said that he has not received any such report, and by submitting it to his office, it becomes unofficial since the minority report should be sent to the Bills and Index.
Asked regarding the value of this minority report, Sotto said that it's a "media report."
"At the moment it's a media report," he said.
"Wala, pang-media. Anong silbi nun eh hindi nga maika-calendar on the floor?...Kahit anong committee report yan unless i-take up sa plenary ay wala 'yan. (That’s nothing, it’s just for media. What’s the use of that if it can’t even be calendared on the floor?...No matter what committee report that is, unless it’s taken up in the plenary, it amounts to nothing) It's simply a piece of paper," he added.
"Parang ano yan eh (It's just like a) turno en contra, it's exactly the same as a turno en contra. How can you come up with a turno en contra when there's no main speech or a main proposal? There must be a main proposal already," he said.
A day after the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee resumed its hearing on the anomalous flood control projects, Senator Rodante Marcoleta disclosed in a press conference that they came up with a minority report on the first three hearings of the panel under him.
Submitted on Dec. 10, 2025, to the Office of Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, the minority report encapsulates the key points gathered thus far, particularly those that, in our view, merit deeper scrutiny or may otherwise contribute to a more complete, balanced, and transparent appreciation of the matters at hand.
Three of the 9 minority bloc members did not sign the report. This includes Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, and Senator Joel Villanueva. Cayetano was not able to sign since he was sick, Escudero did not sign since he's not a member of the panel, while Villanueva opted to study it first.
In the report, it stated that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez cannot simply absolve himself from any accountability in all that is happening — either he was complicit with the crooks or was grossly negligent in his job, stating that in both cases, he remains liable either way.
On the other hand, it stated that the minority finds that the allegation against Senator Jinggoy Estrada remains unsubstantiated and unclear.
"The evidence presented thus far fails to establish any direct participation or authorization by the Senator in the alleged transaction," it read.
It also said that the implication of Senator Nancy Binay in the supposed corrupt practices of DPWH can be considered as hearsay unless supported by object evidence and corroborative statements from other witnesses.
The report also said the same for Escudero, stating that the implication of the senator in the supposed corrupt practices of DPWH can be considered hearsay unless supported by object evidence and corroborative statements from other witnesses.

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Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Senate President Vicente \"Tito\" Sotto III minority bloc flood control probe rodante marcoleta
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