Senate Pres. Tito Sotto Speaks on Senate Flood Probe Following Sen. Lacson’s Resignation
TITO SOTTO – The Senate President explained that the chamber can invite Leyte Congressman Martin Romualdez but they cannot issue a subpoena.
Two (2) of the members of the House of Representatives who are linked to the flood control mess are former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co. Controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya were the first to accuse Romualdez and Co of allegedly receiving kickback from the flood control projects.
The two (2) House members denied the allegations. Not long after it, presidential cousin and Leyte Congressman Martin Romualdez resigned from being the House speaker. According to him, he wants the Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI to be able to fully and freely conduct their mandate to investigate.
However, in the case of Zaldy Co, he resigned from being a House member as he refused to return to the Philippines. He was in the United States when the accusation against him broke out. The House of Representatives revoked his Travel Clearance and House Speaker Bojie Dy ordered him to return to the country but he did not heed the call.
Following his resignation from being the representative of Ako Bicol Partylist, some senators stressed that Zaldy Co can now be invited in the Senate flood probe. The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Ping Lacson confirmed that the Senate will invite Cong. Martin Romualdez and Zaldy Co.
However, recently, Lacson resigned from being the chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee. Following the resignation of the Senator, Senate Pres. Tito Sotto clarified that Zaldy Co will still be invited to the Senate flood probe.
“Si Zaldy Co puwede na talagang imbitahan kaagad ‘yun sapagkat ‘yun ay hindi na congressman,” Sotto told Super Radyo dzBB.
However, Senate Pres. Tito Sotto clarified that it would be different in the case of Leyte Cong. Martin Romualdez. Based on the report, the Senate Chief explained that the former House Speaker may be invited but the Senate cannot issue a subpoena against him.
“Kung si Congressman Romualdez iimbitahin, kailangan imbitahin. Hindi siya pwedeng i-subpoena dahil meron tayo nung inter-parliamentary courtesy na tinatawag,” the Senate President said.
Following the resignation of Sen. Ping Lacson, Sotto confirmed that there are five (5) senators who are qualified to be the next chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.