Ping Lacson: Blue Ribbon to invite Zaldy Co, Romualdez to flood control probe

Resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez will be invited to the next Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on alleged corruption in anomalous flood control projects, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said Tuesday, September 30.

Lacson, who chairs the Blue Ribbon panel, stressed that summoning Co and Romualdez should address perceptions that the inquiry was protecting certain personalities.

“For the next hearing of the committee, we will send an invitation letter to his address. Now we know he is abroad and will not show up. If that is the case, we will issue a subpoena, and then a show-cause order,” Lacson said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on NET25. “We are not covering up for anyone here.”

The senator warned that if Co fails to comply with the committee’s summons, stronger measures will follow.

“If the show-cause order is not satisfactory, we will cite him in contempt of the committee and issue a warrant for his arrest,” Lacson added.

As for Romualdez, the invitation will be coursed through Speaker Faustino Dy III “in observation of the time-honored inter-parliamentary courtesy between the two houses of Congress.”

Lacson also said the panel is waiting for further developments before scheduling its next hearing but stressed the inquiry will continue for as long as new evidence emerges.

“If we stop the probe now, we may reinforce the perception rightly or wrongly that we are covering up for someone. No. I said it clearly, we will go where the evidence leads us,” he said.

He added that while it was “painful” to hear colleagues implicated, no one would be spared.

“I will not be distracted by the noise that I am partial, that I am covering up for or targeting someone. My guiding principle is to go where the evidence leads me, and to do the right thing,” he said.

“Nobody is being targeted. Neither will anyone be shielded or spared.”

Meanwhile, Lacson said recent changes in the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) will not affect the Senate probe.

Former Philippine National Police chief Rodolfo Azurin will replace Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong as adviser to the ICI.

Lacson said while he was saddened by Magalong’s resignation, he was optimistic about Azurin’s contribution.

“Generals Azurin and Magalong worked directly under me when I headed the PNP. I know their work ethic, integrity, and work experience,” he said.