Photo courtesy of Ping Lacson/Facebook.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will transmit evidence gathered in its investigation into alleged flood control anomalies to the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said.
Lacson, who chairs the panel, said documents, testimonies, and hearing transcripts had been compiled and were now part of the public record after he cited them in a privilege speech.
He said he directed the preparation of a formal transmittal to ensure that all evidence collected by the committee would be submitted to the proper investigating bodies.
The senator said he initially refrained from making the materials public due to Senate rules, but noted that his privilege speech placed the records within public domain.
Among the evidence cited was a handwritten note from the late Department of Public Works and Highways official Ma. Catalina Cabral, which allegedly reflected a request from Sen. Rodante Marcoleta for Php 500 million in infrastructure allocations.
Lacson said the committee would also furnish documents that were not yet in the possession of the Ombudsman to support ongoing case-building efforts.
He clarified that there was no immediate recommendation to investigate Marcoleta further, saying any action would depend on evidence linking him to irregular or substandard projects.
The Blue Ribbon panel is also looking into the use of allocable funds and so-called leadership funds, which Lacson said could create space for abuse in infrastructure spending.
He added that investigations would continue into flood control projects in Visayas and Mindanao to assess the extent of alleged irregularities.
Lacson also said another hearing remained possible before Congress adjourns, as the committee continued consolidating evidence for its final report.