The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is revising the language of its draft report on the multibillion-peso flood control investigation to prevent public misunderstanding, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.
Lacson said the initial draft, which mentioned recommendations for plunder and other criminal charges against several personalities—including Senators Chiz Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, and Joel Villanueva—used wording that could be misinterpreted by the public.
“Yung connotation, halimbawa sa draft na initially routed, merong words doon na ‘recommended to be charged.’ Sa laymen, kapag sinabing ‘charged,’ parang nasa korte na,” Lacson said.
To clarify the process, the revised version now recommends that the individuals concerned instead undergo preliminary investigation, fact-finding investigation, or case build-up.
Lacson stressed that only the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman have the authority to file criminal cases.
“Ini-specify na lang namin na instead of using the word charged or to be charged ay to undergo preliminary investigation or to undergo fact-finding investigation, to undergo case build up,” he said.
Lacson emphasized that the revisions are limited to wording and do not alter the substance of the committee’s findings.
“Walang nabago. Walang substantive na na-revise. Pareho pa rin, yun lang yung language,” he added.