Photo courtesy of Ping Lacson/Facebook.
The Senate blue ribbon committee postponed its April 14 hearing on the alleged irregularities in flood control projects as it awaited key documents and additional support from its members.
Panel chairperson Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the hearing would not proceed until former Ilocos Sur governor Luis Singson submits a sworn affidavit detailing his claims.
Lacson also noted that the committee had yet to secure enough signatures to advance its partial report, with only four senators signing so far, short of the nine required for majority approval.
The postponement was conveyed in a letter sent to Singson, citing the need for his formal statement and supporting evidence before the inquiry could resume.
The senator said the panel also needed more time for members to review and sign the draft report, which is still pending before the committee.
Records showed that the committee had earlier reached out to Singson through email and a follow-up letter delivered to his residence, but no response or affidavit had been received by the deadline.
Despite the delay, Lacson said the hearing could still push through if Singson submits at least a draft of his affidavit and more senators endorse the report recommending further investigation of individuals linked to the issue.
He added that if the required signatures are not obtained, the committee may instead issue a chairman’s report and forward all gathered documents and testimonies to the Office of the Ombudsman for possible action.
