Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson confirmed on Tuesday that former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez and resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co have been invited to attend the next hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which will resume on November 14 to probe alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
During the "Kapihan sa Senado," Lacson explained that the invitation for Romualdez will be coursed through incumbent House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy Jr., in observance of the principle of interparliamentary courtesy between the Senate and the House of Representatives.
“Although yung kay former Speaker, although we will invite him through Speaker Bojie Dy., wala naman talagang direct na pag-implicate sa kanya except yung statement ni Guteza, but we'll give him the opportunity to respond. But again, in the observance of inter-parliamentary courtesy, invitation sa kanya through the Speaker,” Lacson said.
Lacson emphasized that it will be Romualdez’s personal decision whether or not to attend the inquiry and defend himself from the allegations that bags of cash were allegedly delivered to his residence.
Meanwhile, the Senate will send the invitation for Zaldy Co directly to his registered address.
“Yung kay congressman, ex-congressman Zaldy Co, we will send the invitation doon sa kanyang established na residence,” Lacson said.
Lacson said he sees no problem even if former Congressman Zaldy Co is currently in Europe. He explained that although the Philippines does not have extradition treaties with some European countries, Co can still be extradited through another country that has an existing agreement with the Philippines.
"Pwede rin siyang kunin, ipadala doon sa country na may extradition… Mahirap sa Europe, kasi mayroon silang European Union," he said.
The allegations against both Romualdez and Co were first made by retired Marine serviceman Orly Guteza, who testified before the Blue Ribbon Committee that he personally delivered money-filled bags to the two former lawmakers.
Lacson warned that if the invitations are ignored by Co, the Senate may resort to issuing subpoenas and possibly contempt citations.
“It’s up to them. Kasi kung hindi mahid yung invitation, ang susunod subpoena. At kung hindi pa rin siya sisipot based on the subpoena, then somebody may move for the issuance of a contempt citation and eventually a warrant of arrest,” he said.
Lacson also disclosed that the committee is considering issuing subpoenas to the contractor allegedly handling renovations at Romualdez’s house at 42 McKinley Road, as well as to the security agency assigned there.
Guteza's whereabouts
When asked about Guteza’s current whereabouts, Lacson confirmed that sincere efforts are underway to locate him, stressing the importance of his presence in clarifying the allegations.
“Well, obviously, sincere yung efforts to locate him. Kasi yes to clarify, kung meron siyang maidadagdag, idagdag niya. So, importante yung kanyang presence kung meron siyang maidadagdag pa sa kanyang naunang ipinahayag. At saka concerned din, kasi hindi na natin alam kung ano nangyari sa kanya. May mga claim na nasa Marine compound, hindi naman pala," Lacson said.
"At saka parang gusto ko na malaman sa kanya, sino ba talaga yung naggawa ng affidavit mo? Kasi nakita ko yung interview ni dating congressman Mike Defensor, katulong sila eh. Sinasabi niya na they helped Guteza draft his affidavit. Kailangan maclarify din yun, hindi ba ang sariling gawa ni Guteza yung affidavit? Kung hindi niya sarili, sino yung mga tumulong sa kanya na maggawa ng affidavit?” Lacson explained.
He further noted that Guteza’s disappearance raises questions about his motives, especially since he was the only person who directly implicated the former Speaker.
“Sa ngayon, di ba, nagkaroon ng isipan sa mga kababayan natin na siya lang ang nakapag-implicate kay Speaker Romualdez. Although kay Congressman Zaldy Co, hindi lang siya, ang dami pang ibang nag-implicate sa kanya, nauna na. Pero ang importante rito, in-implicate niya si dating Speaker Romualdez at nag-iisa siya nakapag-implicate. Pagkatapos nawala siya,” Lacson said.
“So kung ang hangarin mo is talagang logical conclusion which is to prosecute and convict former Speaker Romualdez, dapat na nandito siya. Hindi man sa Blue Ribbon, kung inisip niya hindi siya makapagtiwala sa Blue Ribbon, humarap man lang siya sa DOJ, humarap man lang siya sa Ombudsman kung yun ang hangarin. So now, anong isipin natin? Bakit Blue Ribbon lang at pagkatapos ng isang pagsipot, nawala ka na?” he added.
Lacson also confirmed that the Senate may issue a subpoena through the office of Senator Rodante Marcoleta, in relation to statements made by former Congressman Mike Defensor.
Earlier, Lacson said that the Committee will resume its hearing on November 14, where more witnesses and documents are expected to be presented.
