Sen. Ping Lacson Speaks on Next Senate Flood Control Hearing
PING LACSON – The Senate President Pro Tempore claimed that they will invite Zaldy Co to attend the flood control hearing via Zoom.
Resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Zaldy Co is one of those that the ICI recommended charges to be filed upon in its submission to the Ombudsman. The ICI or the Independent Commission for Infrastructure was formed upon the order of Pres. Bongbong Marcos for the flood control probe. Co is one of those accused of allegedly receiving “kickback” from the flood control projects of the government.
However, Zaldy Co was already out of the country when controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya tagged him in the supposed multi-billion flood control corruption. It was the first time that his name was mentioned during the flood control hearing held by the Senate. The Discayas accused several government officials of alleged flood control corruption.
Senate flood control probe is led by the Blue Ribbon Committee. However, the hearings were halted when Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson resigned from being the chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee. After his resignation, the post was offered to five (5) senators but they declined.
Senators Raffy Tulfo, Kiko Pangilinan, and JV Ejercito immediately declined the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairmanship. Neither Sen. Risa Hontiveros nor Sen. Pia Cayetano sat as the chairperson of the panel.
Previously, it was confirmed by Senate Pres. Tito Sotto that Sen. Ping Lacson will return as chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee. According to the Senate Chief, the clamor of their fellow senators might have reached Lacson.
According to Sen. Ping Lacson, if he will be re-elected, he wants to resume the flood control probe on November 14. Recently, the Senate President Pro Tempore claimed that the panel will invite Zaldy Co to the next flood control hearing.
Based on a report on GMA News, Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson claimed that they will invite Zaldy Co to attend the next Senate flood control hearing via Zoom. According to the Senator, if Co cannot physically go to a Philippine Embassy at a country where he is currently at, he can affirm is affidavit through a consul on another day.
“Si Zaldy Co, we’re extending our invitation kung pupwede siyang mag-participate via Zoom. Of course, kung nasa abroad siya, as we all know, most probably he’s abroad, so hindi magiging valid ang kanyang testimony unless nandoon siya sa premises ng Philippine Embassy doon sa lugar na kinaroroonan niya,” Lacson said.
Sen. Ping Lacson stressed that he has no current communication with Zaldy Co. Based on the report, the invitation to the resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Representative will only be sent to his address. Aside from Co, 17 other congressmen including former House Speaker Martin Romualdez will be invited to the flood hearing, too.
Previously, Lacson claimed that Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s “surprise witness” Orly Guteza could not be found.