By el Amigo
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Erwin Tulfo said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee no longer needs to pursue an investigation into former House Speaker Martin Romualdez following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s announcement that the Office of the Ombudsman is preparing to file several cases against the former lawmaker.
Speaking after President Marcos’ fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Tulfo said continuing a Senate inquiry into Romualdez could overlap with the Ombudsman’s mandate.
“What’s the purpose?” Tulfo said, noting that such a move might be viewed as interfering with the constitutional body’s work. He emphasized that the Blue Ribbon Committee’s role is to conduct investigations in aid of legislation rather than prosecute individuals.
Despite setting aside any separate inquiry into Romualdez, Tulfo assured the public that the committee’s investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects would continue once the panel’s membership is finalized.
He added that the committee is also preparing to examine corruption allegations involving other government agencies, including reported kickback schemes tied to the issuance of environment-related permits.
Tulfo likewise welcomed several issues highlighted by President Marcos during his SONA, particularly efforts to reduce electricity rates and uphold the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea.
As chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, Tulfo said hearings are already underway on proposed amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), with the goal of removing charges such as the system loss fee and certain taxes from consumers’ electricity bills.
The senator also reiterated his support for the administration’s position on the West Philippine Sea, stressing that the Philippines must continue asserting its sovereign rights and protect its territorial interests.
elamigo/xf
