The arrest of fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co could pave the way for the signing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s partial report on the alleged flood control fund scandal, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said.
According to a report on DZRH’s “Damdaming Bayan” by RH Raymund Dadpaas, Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson expressed hope that fellow committee members would finally sign the report he submitted, following the apprehension of former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co in Prague, Czech Republic, after months of evading Philippine authorities. The senator said he believes his colleagues want the truth to come out and are interested in hearing Co’s side, now that he is arrested. Earlier, Lacson had maintained that no further hearings would be conducted by the committee until the partial report is presented before the plenary. The report requires at least nine signatures before the report can be formally filed and presented on the Senate floor for deliberation, amendments, and possible adoption. Currently the report lacks three signatures, as some minority members have refused to sign while certain majority senators were reportedly urged by former allies to withhold their support. Lacson earlier signed the document, along with Senators Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros, and Kiko Pangilinan. Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Senator Erwin Tulfo have also affixed their signatures. Lacson admitted feeling disappointed over the delay but said he understands the situation. He emphasized that signing the committee report is part of the senators’ responsibility to follow due process, noting that any legislative inquiry must result in a formal committee report. Following Co’s arrest, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee plans to invite him to testify in its ongoing investigation into alleged corruption in flood control projects. In a radio interview, Lacson said the panel would verify Co’s claims, alongside testimonies from 18 former soldiers who alleged that they delivered cash upon Co’s orders. He added that former Marine Orly Guteza would also be invited to testify again. Guteza has not been seen since he previously claimed he delivered suitcases of cash to Co and former Speaker and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez as part of alleged kickbacks from flood control projects. However, Lacson noted that Co is unlikely to qualify as a "state witness" in the Senate probe, explaining that such a witness must not be the most culpable among those involved and guilty. Co has been accused of playing a key role in irregularities linked to flood control funds, which remain under investigation by the Senate committee.
