Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Thursday condemned a flood control hearing led by senators aligned with Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, labeling the proceeding as an unauthorized and illegitimate abuse of legislative inquiry power.
“Kahit na ano pa yan sinabi, it’s obviously a bogus investigation in aid of destabilization,” Sotto said in a message to reporters.
The veteran lawmaker pointed out that the hearing lacked proper institutional backing. He criticized the Cayetano-led bloc for conducting the inquiry despite their recent refusal to participate in regular plenary sessions.
Sotto further described the event as “unofficial and unauthorized,” warning that it tarnished the Senate’s institutional integrity and wasted public funds.
The controversy unfolds amidst administrative transitions, with Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian noting that committee hearings were temporarily paused while the blue ribbon committee undergoes reorganization under its new chairman, Senator Erwin Tulfo.
Despite the procedural questions, the hearing moved forward under Senator Pia Cayetano.
During the session, individuals claiming to be former military personnel alleged that multiple politicians received kickbacks from anomalous flood control infrastructure initiatives. Among the witnesses was Rodante Orbillo, a self-proclaimed former Philippine Marine.
Orbillo testified that he personally delivered five suitcases loaded with up to ₱70 million in cash to a Parañaque City building linked to Sotto. He claimed the funds originated from the office of former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co.
Sotto swiftly dismissed the allegations, pointing out glaring logical flaws in the witness’s testimony.
“First of all, I do not have a building. We have a PR office in a building near Baclaran. Two, a [limousine] will not fit in the basement of that building,” the former Senate chief said.
“Why would I be given flood control money when I was not in the office (at the time)? Second… I have yet to see a suitcase where ₱40 million would fit,” he added.
Sotto additionally denied taking any politically linked funds from Malacañang or former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez.
“All the money I spent for the 2025 elections are in my statements of contributions and expenditures. It’s all there, including my personal money that I spent. I think we should just throw it in the waste basket,” he said.