The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has rescinded its invitations to 18 individuals said to be former military personnel and alleged bagmen of former Congressman Zaldy Co, their lawyer said.

Lawyer Levi Baligod said in a Facebook post that he received an email stating that Committee Chair Senator Pia Cayetano ordered the withdrawal of the invitations. The reason for the move was not disclosed. A Senate source separately confirmed the development.

In a notice sent to Baligod and his clients, the committee secretariat said the invitations for the 18 individuals to appear as resource persons in the June 4 hearing were withdrawn upon the chairperson’s directive.

The individuals had been invited to take part in the panel’s ninth public hearing, which forms part of a motu proprio inquiry in aid of legislation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects and a supposed money delivery scheme involving former military personnel.

The Blue Ribbon Secretariat said the hearing will still proceed as scheduled despite the withdrawal of the invitations.

The inquiry is anchored on several privilege speeches and a proposed Senate resolution seeking to examine alleged malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance in flood control projects since 2022, as well as claims of a money delivery scheme involving private contractors and certain government officials.

Baligod, in his post, questioned the move and raised concerns about the Senate’s independence, alleging that some officials were reluctant to pursue the investigation.

Cayetano has yet to issue a statement on the matter.