Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito said he is refusing to sign the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s final report on alleged flood control anomalies unless it includes House members linked to construction firms—referred to as “cong-tractors”—among those recommended for preliminary investigation.
Ejercito stressed that several key personalities allegedly behind the controversial projects were not identified in the report’s recommendations.
“Kaya hindi ako pipirma dahil sa tingin ko kulang pa ito. Kapag nakita kong kasama na ‘yung mga… contractor na congressmen… baka maaaring pumirma na ako,” he said in a radio interview.
He further expressed dissatisfaction, saying the supposed main actors in the issue were not held accountable.
“Hindi pa ako satisfied na ‘yung mga tunay na may sala o mga tunay na salarin… mga major players na talagang nagsimula ng mga ito sa tingin ko, hindi kasama doon sa mga recommended.”
Ejercito, alongside Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri and Senator Win Gatchalian, had earlier withdrawn their signatures from the draft partial report on February 3 to further review its findings.
A leaked draft of the report, chaired by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, initially recommended criminal charges against Senators Chiz Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, and Senate Deputy Minority Leader Joel Villanueva.
Former Senator Bong Revilla was also included, in connection with a ₱92.8 million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan, for which he is currently detained.
The report likewise sought complaints against former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co, former Caloocan City Representative Mitch Cajayon-Uy, and several officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
On February 10, Lacson clarified that the report’s language would be revised to recommend “preliminary investigation” instead of outright charges, noting that the Senate does not have the authority to file cases in court.
Despite the adjustment, Ejercito maintained that his concerns remain unresolved.
“Kapag full na (ang report), baka pag-aralan natin. Pero sa ngayon, sa tingin ko kulang. Wala pa ang major players sa listahan,” he said.
As of the latest count, only four senators—Lacson, Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, and Kiko Pangilinan—have signed the committee report, falling short of the nine signatures required.