The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has deferred its scheduled hearing on April 14, 2026 on the anomalous flood control projects, pending the submission of a sworn affidavit by former governor Luis “Chavit” Singson and the needed signatures for the partial committee report by at least five members of the panel.

Former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson holds a press conference to express his insights on government anomalies, particularly on flood control issues on Friday, Sept. 19, in San Juan City. Singson calls on the Filipino youth to stand up by not attending classes until corrupt officials and corruption in the government are removed. (Photo by Santi San Juan)

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who is also the panel’s chairman, made the announcement on Thursday, April 9, noting that only four members have signed the partial report.

The blue ribbon panel’s partial report on the flood control project probe need at least nine signatures of the committee members before it can be reported out on the Senate floor.

Lacson said he may consider calling for a hearing if Singson submits at least a copy of his draft affidavit and if five (5) more committee members sign the partial report.

“The Committee has deemed it necessary to reschedule the public hearing contingent on the mitigation of the current National Energy Emergency and the formal submission of your sworn affidavit, including all pertinent supporting documents,” Lacson said in his letter to Singson, informing him of the deferment of the hearings until further notice.

“Additionally, the Committee has deferred the resumption of the hearings pending the review and signing of the Partial Committee Report currently before its members,” the senator added.

“We appreciate your cooperation and will provide updates regarding the new schedule as soon as it is determined,” he added.

According to Lacson, the panel had given Singson until April 7 to submit his draft affidavit but he did not receive any response.

Moreover, he said the initial invitation was sent to Singson through email last March 25; however, he did not reply.

The Committee again sent a copy of the invitation letter to him at his residence last April 6. The letter of deferment was sent to Singson on April 7.

Earlier, Lacson told reporters that the former governor had sent him a letter indicating his readiness to testify in the flood control probe.  Last month, Singson paid the senator a visit in his Senate office.

The senator said he may still consider calling a hearing if Singson at least submits a copy of his draft affidavit.

He also said he is considering delivering a Chairman’s Report on the flood control projects issue and submitting it to the Ombudsman together with the documents, transcripts and other evidence gathered during the last seven hearings of the committee.

“This is to at least help the Ombudsman in its ongoing preliminary investigations,” he said.

Lacson earlier disclosed that the partial committee report recommends preliminary investigation into some individuals implicated in the flood control controversy, including Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada and Joel Villanueva.

Those who signed the partial committee report were Lacson, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV.