Lacson: Rep of construction firm in flood control mess seen in Senate

A representative of a construction firm implicated in the flood control projects controversy was seen visiting the Senate last August, Senate Pro Tempore Ping Lacson said Thursday.

Lacson, chairperson of the Senate blue ribbon Committee, said his office has secured a copy of a CCTV footage showing that a certain "Mina" visited the Senate premises on August 19. 

"As we speak, mayroon kaming CCTV footage na dumalaw dito ang WJ. Ang pangalan Mina," Lacson told reporters.

(As we speak, we have a CCTV footage showing that a Mina of WJ Construction visited the Senate.)

"Ipapatawag namin para nalaman natin kung kaninong office siya nagpunta at sino ang kinausap niya para maliwanag whether or not staff ng Blue Ribbon o legislature ang pinuntahan," he said.

(We will ask her to appear in the hearing to ask which office she visited and whether she went to the office of a blue ribbon committee staff or a legislator.)

Former Bulacan assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez earlier told a House hearing that WJ Construction allegedly delivers "obligations" or kickbacks to Beng Ramos, whom he identified as a member of Senator Jinggoy Estrada's staff.

Estrada has denied having a Beng Ramos on his staff, as well as any role in alleged irregularities related to undelivered or "ghost" and substandard flood control projects.

"Ipapa-subpoena ang in-charge sa CCTV dito para siya ang mag-testify. Makikita sa CCTV pero mas mainam na formally i-testify noong operator ng CCTV kung saang opisina," said Lacson.

(We will subpoena the CCTV operator to testify. The details of the video can be seen on the CCTV but it would be better for the operator to formally testify which office Mina visited.)

"Kung CCTV alone, 'di mapagsasalita 'yun eh," he said. 

(If we relied on the CCTV alone, it cannot speak.)

The Senate Blue Ribbon panel will resume its investigation into the flood control projects on Thursday, September 18.

Discayas as witnesses?

Meanwhile, Lacson backed Senate President Vicente Sotto III as the latter has yet to sign the recommendation of Senator Rodante Marcoleta to place contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya under witness protection.

Lacson said the recommendation is "outdated" due to change of Senate leadership. He also said Sotto spoke with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, who has stated that the Discayas must first return ill-gotten funds, if there are any, before they can be considered as state witnesses.

"Nag-retract sila eh. Pagdating sa House iba ang sinasabi, 'How can you qualify kung hindi definite ang sinasabi,'" he said. 

(They retracted their statements. How can they qualify if they are changing their words and are not definite with their remarks?)

"Titingnan natin baka dumating ang punto na 'pag nandito sila, mag-tell all, i-evaluate natin… Kung susundin natin ang proseso, unahin na muna natin magkaroon sila ng legislative immunity," he added. 

(We'll see if they will tell all in the Senate panel but if we will follow the process, they will be given a legislative immunity first.)

The Discayas earlier testified that some lawmakers were allegedly involved in the flood control anomalies. — VDV, GMA Integrated News