Senator Erwin Tulfo claimed Tuesday that members of the Senate minority block are attempting to delay an upcoming Blue Ribbon Committee inquiry into alleged flood control project anomalies.
Questioning the supposed request, Tulfo urged those advocating for a postponement to clarify their stance to the public.
“Actually ang humaharang to tell you the truth honestly po yung kabila eh… Sila na ngayon nakikiusap na huwag na natin ituloy ang blue ribbon (hearing),” Tulfo told reporters.
“Kaya sabi ko, ‘Ano ba talaga? You have to explain it to the media, you have to explain it to the public na kayo naman ang ayaw,’” he added.
When asked about the motive behind the attempt to defer the probe, Tulfo suggested the intent was clear.
“Obvious. Alam niyo kung sino ang pinapaimbestiga, sinong tinutumbok ni Senator (Panfilo) Lacson.”
The statement follows Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s submission to the Office of the Ombudsman of evidence detailing alleged “ghost” infrastructure projects in Taguig City, the political stronghold of Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano. Lacson noted the documents could support charges of plunder, malversation, and graft violations against those implicated.
LINO CAYETANO READY TO TESTIFY
Tulfo noted that former Taguig City Mayor and current People’s Television Network (PTV) General Manager Lino Cayetano—the younger brother of the Senate minority leader—is reportedly willing to testify and present evidence if the panel launches the inquiry.
“I don’t know kung anong pag-uusap nila ni Sen. Lacson, pero initially sinasabi ni Sen. Lacson na mag-testify daw. Pero what I heard is willing, he has documents na pwede isumite po sa Blue Ribbon,” Tulfo said.
Tulfo added that another former Taguig mayor also holds documents pertinent to the probe.
“Pati nga po yung dating mayor po ng Taguig, may mga documents din pong isusumite. So we will entertain that. So mag-uusap nalang kami ni Sen. Lacson kung ano ba talaga, ififile ba, papa-imbestigahan. Open naman po kami kung pa-imbestigahan,” he stated.