Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste has offered to share information with Senator Erwin Tulfo to assist in the ongoing Senate investigation into allegedly anomalous flood control projects.
In a letter dated Friday and made public on Monday, Leviste expressed his intent to cooperate with the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee by providing details he deems pertinent to the case.
“I would like to present information relevant to this at your earliest convenience.”
The neophyte lawmaker also signaled his readiness to cooperate with broader investigations into infrastructure projects managed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“I remain available to assist in any investigation on flood control projects and other projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways.”
Leviste, who is the son of Senator Loren Legarda, extended this offer despite a recent leadership dispute that triggered a major reorganization within the upper chamber.
The outreach follows the June 3 takeover by a new Senate majority bloc, which appointed Tulfo as the chairperson of the influential Blue Ribbon Committee.
In contrast, Senator Legarda is aligned with the faction led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano. This group has boycotted plenary sessions and challenged the legality of the leadership transition.
Leviste noted in his letter that he had repeatedly requested Tulfo’s contact details from his mother, but ultimately had to reach out through official channels.
“In full disclosure, I have been asking my mother to share with me your contact details, but she has not, so I am sending this to your email address from the official Senate website.”
Tulfo confirmed receipt of the letter and stated he advised the congressman to first submit a sworn affidavit detailing his information.
Furthermore, Tulfo interpreted the gesture as an implicit recognition of his authority as the rightful Blue Ribbon Committee chairperson over rival claims.
“So ibig lamang pong sabihin, hindi niya po kinikilala ‘yung Blue Ribbon po ni Senadora Pia under kay Senador Cayetano or under ‘yung sub-committee ni Senador Marcoleta,” Tulfo said in an ambush interview.
The development intensifies the political friction within the Senate, where opposing factions remain deadlocked over the legitimacy of the chamber’s leadership and committee designations.