Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson vowed to be vigilant against selective testimonies as he assumes leadership of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which is investigating alleged corruption in flood control projects.
Stressing the need for fairness and solid evidence, Lacson said he will scrutinize claims—especially those from Pacifico and Cezarah Discaya—linking lawmakers and officials to anomalies, insisting that “receipts” and not hearsay will drive the inquiry.
Lacson is set to lead the probe into substandard and ghost flood control projects.
“First of all, I will look for receipts. I will not rely on the say-so of others hook, line and sinker. In my privilege speeches, I do not rely on mere reports or testimonies. Instead, I ask myself what evidence do I have to support what I will say?” he said in Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.
He said he will also take a closer look at the supposed ledgers and vouchers containing the amounts supposedly given to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and lawmakers.
Lacson stressed that to ensure fairness in the investigation, he will be on the lookout for “selective” testimonies from the Discayas and other resource persons.
Also, he said he will start where the previous Blue Ribbon Committee hearings on the flood control projects left off.
The senator also said he does not see any conflict with the work of the independent commission to be formed by Malacanang, since the Blue Ribbon Committee’s work is in aid of legislation.
He said he will even furnish the independent committee with evidence gathered during the Blue Ribbon probe, to help in the prosecution of those found liable.
“If we find evidence we will pass it to the independent commission. I have talked to DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon about this,” he said. (Dhel Nazario)
