Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Thursday said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee remains committed to pursuing accountability, transparency, truth, justice, and peace, echoing principles raised by members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) during their protest in Quezon City.
“‘Yung mga adbokasiya nilang [INC] sinasabi transparency, accountability, truth, and justice and peace 'yun din po ang patuloy na isusulong ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee,” she said during a press briefing on Kapihan sa Manila.
Hontiveros said every organization and citizen has the right to express their views on issues concerning justice and government investigations.
“Karapatan po ng bawat samahan at mamamayan dito sa Pilipinas na magpahayag ng kanilang mga saloobin sa alinmang isyu, isyu man ng hustisya, isyu man ng alinmang imbestigasyon,” Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros noted that Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Sen. Erwin Tulfo has committed to continuing the panel's investigation into the alleged flood control scam and other allegations of graft and corruption involving various government programs and agencies.
“Tulad ng dating pinamunuan ni Senator Ping [Lacson] at nag-commit pa rin hanggang ngayon si Chair Erwin [Tulfo] na ipagpapatuloy namin ang imbestigasyon sa flood control scam. At pati yung ibang allegations of graft and corruption sa iba pang mga programa at pati sa iba pang mga departments,” Hontiveros said.
The senator also expressed hope that the situation on the ground would be resolved peacefully.
Thousands of INC members gathered near the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City on Tuesday for an emergency rally calling for accountability amid controversy over alleged irregularities in government funds.
During the gathering, the Iglesia ni Cristo expressed support for Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who is facing a planned plunder complaint, and rejected what it described as “selective justice” and the “distortion of law.”
The rally has continued into its third day after organizers transferred the protest to Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila. This came after the Quezon City government revoked the permit it had earlier granted for the protest to resume for a third day at the EDSA.
