Some senators seemingly want to limit probe on flood control —ex-IBP chief

Some senators seemingly want to limit the legislative inquiry into anomalous flood control projects, former Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) president Atty. Domingo Cayosa said Tuesday.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Cayosa issued the remark when asked about rumors of a possible change in the Senate leadership and the resignation of Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson as chairman of blue ribbon committee.

“Imbis na susugan at suportahan nila 'yung paghahanap ng katotohanan, accountability ng sinuman, 'yung iba sa kanila nakikita natin mukhang nililihis o kaya nagco-cover up o kaya gustong limitahan lang ‘yung pagsisiyasat nila,” he said.

(Instead of reinforcing and supporting the search for truth and accountability of whoever is involved, we see that some of them seem to be diverting, covering up, or trying to limit their investigation.)

“That’s very telling for the Senate as a whole and doon sa mga senador (and for the senators) individually,” he added.

On Monday, Lacson resigned as chairman of the blue ribbon committee, citing dissatisfaction of other senators on the direction of the legislative inquiry.

He said that some senators “publicly and secretly pursue the narrative that [he is] zeroing in on several of [his] colleagues” while protecting members of the House. 

“Lumalabas ang tunay na kulay ng ibang senador diyan. Na para bang okay lang papalampag tayo, binubulgar ang mga ito, pero kung tayo na ang tinitignan at nadadawit, eh dapat tumahimik na tayo,” Cayosa said.

(The true colors of some senators are showing. It’s as if it’s fine to make noise and expose things when it’s about others, but when it’s us being scrutinized or implicated, we should suddenly stay quiet.)

Cayosa added that this “shows the hypocrisy.” 

The lawyer also expressed dismay at Lacson’s resignation.

“Sayang nga ito. Nakakalungkot lang na nagbibitiw si Senator Lacson, eh sa kanilang lahat, siya naman ‘yung unang nagbunyag niyan at ginagawa niya ang kanyang trabaho at assignment,” he said.

(It’s such a pity. It’s just sad that Senator Lacson is resigning, because among all of them, he was the first to expose that and he was simply doing his job and assignment.)

GoT

Meanwhile, Cayosa liked the rumors of another Senate coup to the ‘Game of Thrones,’ a show famous for shifts in leadership and political power struggles.

“Sapagkat parang Game of Thrones na lang eh, 'di ba? 'Yung nagpapalit-palit na lang ng mga leader natin pero ayaw naman nila managot o talagang tuntunin saan ‘yung katotohanan, saan ‘yung ebidensiya,” he said.

(Because it’s just like Game of Thrones now, right? Our leaders just keep changing, but they don’t want to be held accountable or truly find out where the truth and the evidence lie.)

“So maganda din na ipakita sa kanila na tama na rin 'yung kanilang pagkukunwari at binabantayan natin sila,” he added.

(So it’s also good to show them that their pretense should stop and that we are watching them.)

He clarified that he is not in support of one group or another.

Cayosa also said that the issue may lead to blocking of accountability.

“Nangyari na ho 'yan doon sa issue ng impeachment. Ngayon na naman dito sa mga ghost projects at anomalya sa DPWH, eh nakikita na naman natin 'yung maniobra ng mga senador na maaaring sangkot o kaya kaalyado ng sinumang ayaw mapanagot,” he said.

(That already happened during the impeachment issue. Now, with these ghost projects and anomalies in the DPWH, we are once again seeing the maneuvers of senators who may be involved or are allies of those who want to evade accountability.)

Lacson previously bared that “almost all” the senators of the 19th Congress inserted at least P100 billion worth of items in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA)

For his part, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III  said that making such insertions during the deliberations is part of the regular process. —KG, GMA Integrated News