Newly installed Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Sen. Erwin Tulfo on Monday described the flood control probe conducted last week by the Cayetano bloc as a ' haoshao,' saying it lacked proper authorization and was conducted outside established Senate rules and institutional processes.

Tulfo, who presided over the panel's hearing on allegedly anomalous flood control projects on June 8, 2026, criticized what he described as a 'press conference' led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on June 4.

According to Tulfo, the activity was conducted without the approval of the duly recognized committee chair and outside the institutional processes of the Senate.

“Simply put, it was not a legitimate blue ribbon committee hearing, it was a regular a haoshao,” Tulfo said during the hearing.

Tulfo also took issue with testimonies presented during the separate proceedings, including claims involving 18 alleged Marines and former employees of former congressman Zaldy Co.

The 18 individuals alleged that suitcases of cash were delivered to several lawmakers, including Tulfo himself.

“Sa isinigawang ilehitimong pagdinig muling naungkat ang mga testimonya ng "18 maleta boys" kaugnay sa diumano y milyun-milyong kickback mula sa flood control projects na dineliver daw nila sa ilang mga opisyal, kabilang na po sa inyong lingkod, at maging sa isang pari,” he said.

In his statement, Tulfo denied the allegations, saying no documents or concrete evidence were presented to support the claims.

“Ito po ay walang basehan at walang katotohanan basehan at walang katotohanan. Ni walang naipresintang dokumento, resibo, o anumang konkretong patunay... kundi puro mga salita lamang,” the senator noted.

He added that it is easy for individuals to make accusations and damage reputations, which is why the Blue Ribbon Committee must ensure that all allegations are backed by “credible evidence and reliable testimony.“

“Madaling magturo, madaling gumawa ng kwento, at napakadaling manira ng reputasyon. Kaya tungkulin ng Blue Ribbon Committee na tiyaking ang bawat alegasyon ay nakabatay sa matibay na ebidensya, at mapagkakatiwalaang testimonya,” Tulfo said.

“Hindi po tayo papayag na basta na lamang may darating po dito sa komite po na ito para maglahad ng kung ano-ano na wala naman pong ebidensya o mga testigo na bigla na lamang susulpot, kinabukasan di na mahagilap,” he said.

The senator emphasized that the committee’s role is not to render judgment based on speculation but to determine the truth through proper evidence and procedure.

“Hindi tayo narito upang magbigay ng hatol batay lamang sa mga haka-haka. Narito tayo upang alamin ang katotohanan,” Tulfo added.