House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III has formally informed Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chair and Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson why several congressmen skipped the panel’s hearing on Friday, November 14.
In a letter dated November 12, Dy said the invited House members were already cooperating with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), the body tasked by the Executive to investigate alleged anomalies in infrastructure projects.
According to Dy, the lawmakers have “formally submitted themselves to the jurisdiction and ongoing investigation” of the ICI. He stressed that allowing them to prioritize the independent probe serves the public interest, warning that a simultaneous Senate inquiry “could potentially prejudice the finding of the ICI.”
Dy assured Lacson that the House supports all efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in government.
The Blue Ribbon Committee had summoned the following current and former representatives: Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Eric Yap, Roman Romulo, James Ang, Patrick Vargas, Arjo Atayde, Nicanor Briones, Marcy Teodoro, Eleandro Madrona, Benjamin Agarao Jr., Leody Tarriela, Reynante Arrogancia, Dean Asistio, Ma. Victoria Co-Pilar, Toby Tiangco, Zaldy Co, Florida Robes, Florencio Noel, Marvin Rillo, Teodorico Haresco, and Antonieta Eudela.