Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson announced that a “very important witness” will be invited to the next hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which is investigating the alleged irregularities in the country’s flood control projects.
The hearing is tentatively scheduled for November 14, pending Lacson’s expected reinstatement as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Accountability, Public Officers and Investigations—also known as the Blue Ribbon Committee—once the Senate resumes session on November 10.
Lacson earlier stepped down from the post but is set to return following renewed support from his colleagues.
“To help speed up the filing of airtight cases against some politicians, DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) officials, and errant contractors, we will invite, among others, a ‘very important witness’ and retired TSgt. Orly Guteza to shed more light on his sworn statement,” Lacson said in a post on X.
Guteza previously appeared before the committee on September 25, after being presented by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Rodante Marcoleta, who said the retired Air Force officer was referred to him by former Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Mike Defensor.
Marcoleta and Defensor, who both served in the 18th Congress, were among those who voted to deny ABS-CBN Corporation’s franchise renewal in 2020.
In his testimony, Guteza alleged that he personally delivered several suitcases of cash, reportedly referred to as “basura,” to the residences of former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co and former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Both Co and Romualdez have categorically denied the allegations.