The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has postponed its scheduled April 14 hearing on alleged irregular flood control projects, citing the need to secure a sworn affidavit from former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson and additional signatures for a partial committee report.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, who chairs the committee, said the hearing may be rescheduled if Singson submits even a draft of his affidavit and if five more members sign the partial committee report, which requires nine signatures to be presented before the Senate plenary.
“The Committee has deemed it necessary to reschedule the public hearing contingent on the mitigation of the current National Energy Emergency and the formal submission of your sworn affidavit, including all pertinent supporting documents. Additionally, the Committee has deferred the resumption of the hearings pending the review and signing of the Partial Committee Report currently before its members,” Lacson wrote in a letter to Singson, informing him of the deferment “until further notice.”
He added,
“We appreciate your cooperation and will provide updates regarding the new schedule as soon as it is determined.”
According to Lacson, the committee gave Singson until April 7 to submit his draft affidavit but received no response. The initial invitation was sent via email on March 25, followed by a copy delivered to his residence on April 6. The letter of postponement was sent on April 7.
So far, only four members have signed the partial committee report, short of the nine needed for majority approval.
Lacson said he is considering filing a Chairman’s Report on the flood control projects and forwarding it to the Ombudsman, along with documents, transcripts, and evidence gathered from at least seven hearings.
“Para makatulong man lang sa kanilang ongoing preliminary investigations,” he noted.
The committee’s move underscores the importance of securing complete documentation and consensus before proceeding with the probe.