Compel Zaldy Co to attend Senate probe? Lacson says it's 'not proper'

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson on Wednesday said it is "not proper" to compel Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co to attend the Senate hearing on flood control project anomalies due to the time-honored inter-parliamentary courtesy in the bicameral Congress. 

This came after dismissed Bulacan first district engineer Henry Alcantara admitted Tuesday that he conspired to give commissions off flood control projects to the the camps of several incumbent and former lawmakers, including Co. The party—list congressman has denied the allegation.

"There's inter-parliamentary courtesy. He is still a congressman and there's a tradition that voluntarily, he can appear and testify or manifest. But to send an invitation or even a subpoena, it's not proper," Lacson said in a mix of English and Filipino. 

"Regardless, kasi 'yan ang tradition eh, dinatnan na namin 'yan dito," he added, when asked if the inter-parliamentary courtesy will still be observed considering the weight of Alcantara's allegations. 

(Regardless, because that's the tradition that was already being observed when we started here in the Senate.)

'Definitely' welcome

Lacson, however, emphasized that Co is "definitely" welcome to attend the next hearings on the flood control issues conducted by the blue ribbon committee, which he chairs, if the congressman wants to do so.  

The senator also said he has never had any communication with Co as they do not have a personal relationship. 

During the Senate panel's hearing on Tuesday, Alcantara said he worked with Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo in giving flood control kickbacks for Co, Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, former senator Bong Revilla Jr., and former Caloocan representative Mitch Cajayon-Uy.

Former Bulacan 1st district assistant engineer Brice Hernandez likewise claimed that he delivered an estimated P1 billion in cash, placed in multiple suitcases, to a member of Co's staff.

Co denied the allegations, which he described as "false and baseless." 

"I reserve my right to respond to these allegations at the proper time before the proper forum," the congressman said.

Other senators

Meanwhile, Lacson said he has yet to consult blue ribbon committee members if Revilla should also be invited to the next hearings since the latter is a former senator. 

"Hindi ko alam kasi hindi naman nabasa ang pangalan niya [sa] freezing. Alam niyo ang freezing kasi, ang basis noon is a formal complaint, which Secretary Remulla did. NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) filed a formal complaint against those named by Alcantara. And I noticed, nung in-enumerate… wala eh. Hindi ko alam kung bakit," he said. 

(I don't know because his name was not on the freeze order. This freeze order was based on a formal complaint, which Secretary Remulla did. The NBI filed a formal complaint against those who were named by Alcantara. And I noticed, when it was enumerated... Revilla's name was not included. I don't know why.) 

Lacson further said Estrada and Villanueva have the choice whether or not they want to inhibit from the Senate investigation. 

"Hindi ko naman sila puwedeng pagbawalan. Ang inhibition is a personal decision. Kung tingin mo, out of delicadeza, you should not participate… that's their call," he added. 

(I cannot bar them from attending. Inhibition is a personal decision. If you think, out of delicadeza, you should not participate… then that's your call.) 

Estrada, Villanueva, and Revilla have all denied the accusations against them. 

Based on the Senate's website, the blue ribbon committee is scheduled to continue its motu proprio inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the anomalous flood control projects on Thursday, September 25, at 9 a.m. — VDV, GMA Integrated News