Several lawmakers voiced support for Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairperson and Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s position that investigations into the flood control controversy must strictly follow the evidence and not be driven by political pressure.
Antipolo City 1st District Representative Ronaldo Puno said public discourse should remain fair and fact-based.
“Public discourse should be guided by evidence and fairness,” Puno said. “When there is no proof, everyone should stop turning serious issues into political theater.”
Puno welcomed Lacson’s statement that there is no evidence linking former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez to the controversy, stressing that accountability must be anchored on due process and facts.
“Senator Lacson made it very clear that the Senate can only follow where the evidence leads,” said Puno, chairperson of the National Unity Party.
Lacson earlier noted in a radio interview that aside from Orly Guteza, no other witness emerged to implicate Romualdez in the alleged anomalous flood control projects.
La Union 1st District Representative Paolo Ortega echoed the call to stop political pressure and speculation.
“Senator Lacson was clear: the Senate can only follow where the evidence leads. If there is no evidence, there should be no political pressure, no manufactured outrage, and no trial by publicity,” Ortega said.
“Accountability is important, but it cannot be built on rumors or unsubstantiated claims,” he added.
Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong also welcomed Lacson’s clarification.
“This reinforces what should be obvious in any serious inquiry—without factual evidence, sworn statements, and documents, there is nothing to pursue,” Adiong said.
“When a witness disappears, and no sworn affirmation follows, you cannot manufacture a case,” he added, calling for fairness and an end to what he described as political noise.