The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Friday reiterated that legislative investigations remain independent from criminal or administrative cases, as it continued its probe into alleged anomalies in flood-control projects.
Committee chair Senator Panfilo Lacson cited Article I, Section 2 of the Blue Ribbon Rules, which states that the filing of such cases “shall not stop or abate any inquiry to carry out a legislative purpose.” He stressed that the Senate’s oversight mandate stands on its own.
Responding to lawyer Ruy Alberto Rondain — who voiced concern that appearing before the Senate might pre-empt his client Zaldy Co’s legal defenses — Lacson clarified that the committee’s invitation was addressed to Co personally.
“Our invitation was directed to Mr. Zaldy Co himself, not to his lawyer,” Lacson said. “Let me state clearly that this Committee takes strong exception to that statement,” he added, affirming the chamber’s constitutional authority.
Lacson also placed on record House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III’s explanation on the absence of House members earlier implicated, citing their responsibilities with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.
Several invited personalities also submitted excuse letters, including contractor Jonathan Quirante, Eumir Villanueva, Engr. Arjay Domasig, and multiple officials claiming medical reasons: DPWH-NCR Director Gerard Opulencia, South Manila District Engineer Manny Bulusan, and COA Commissioner Mario Lipana.
To ensure a full account, the committee sought assistance from the Bureau of Immigration. The BI reported no departure records for Mark Baquiran Bunagan, Orly Regala Guteza, and Mark Tecsay; confirmed Allan Colesio’s recent return; and disclosed that John Paul Estrada — identified as Co’s aide — left for Hong Kong on Sept. 2 and has not returned.
Lacson also presented an order from Manila RTC Executive Judge Carolina Icasiano-Sison detailing discrepancies in the notarization of Guteza’s affidavit. An NBI forensic analysis found that the signature was not written by lawyer Petchie Rose Espera and that her notarial entries were falsified.
“These findings are important to place on record before we proceed,” Lacson said.
