MANILA – The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has postponed its next hearing on the alleged irregularities in flood control projects as it awaits a sworn affidavit from former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson and sufficient signatures from committee members for a partial report.
Committee chair and Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said Thursday the April 14 hearing was deferred due to the absence of Singson’s affidavit and the lack of majority backing needed to advance the panel’s report.
Lacson said the inquiry may resume once Singson submits at least a draft version of his sworn statement and if more members sign the partial committee report. At present, only four senators have signed the document, leaving it five signatures short of the nine required to secure majority approval.
The panel had set an April 7 deadline for Singson to submit his affidavit, but no response was received. Invitations had previously been sent to him via email on March 25 and delivered to his residence on April 6.
In his letter to Singson, Lacson said the resumption of the hearings would also depend on the mitigation of the ongoing National Energy Emergency and the completion of the committee’s report review.
While the proceedings remain suspended, Lacson said he is considering submitting a chairman’s report to the Office of the Ombudsman. The report would include transcripts, records, and other evidence collected from at least seven previous hearings.
According to Lacson, the move could assist the Ombudsman in its ongoing preliminary investigation into the alleged anomalies tied to flood control projects.
ia/xf
