Romualdez, Zaldy Co no-show at Senate flood control hearing

Former Speaker and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez and resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co were absent Friday at the resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on anomalous flood control projects, following an invitation from the panel to attend the probe.

Based on the guest list provided to the media, 14 incumbent members of the House of Representatives were new invitees to the hearing on Friday, November 14:

• 1st District Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Sr.
• Benguet Rep. Eric Go Yap
• Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo
• Uswag Ilonggo Partylist Rep. James "Jojo" Ang
• Quezon City, 5th District Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas
• Quezon City, 1st District Rep. Juan Carlos "Arjo" Atayde
• Agap Partylist Rep. Nicanor "Nikki" Briones
• Marikina 1st District Rep. Marcelino "Marcy" R. Teodoro
• Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona
• Laguna, 4th District Rep. Benjamin "Benjie" C. Agarao Jr.
• Occidental Mindoro, Rep.  Leody "Odie" F. Tarriela
• Quezon, 3rd District Rep. Reynante "Reynan" U. Arrogancia
• Caloocan City 3rd District Rep. Dean Asistio
• Quezon City, 6th District Rep. Ma. Victoria Co-Pilar

Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson, chairman of the blue ribbon committee, said House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy informed him that the incumbent congressmen would not attend the hearing.

"According to Speaker Dy, the members will not be appearing before the Committee today in order to avoid any possible prejudice to the ongoing investigation and eventual findings of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), given that the invited members have already submitted themselves to its jurisdiction and proceedings," Lacson said in his opening statement.

Based on Dy's letter to Lacson dated November 12, the Speaker said the invited House members will "first fulfill their duty to cooperate with the independent investigative body directly tasked by the Executive with this matter."

"Rest assured that the House remains supportive of all initiatives aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in the conduct of public affairs," Dy added. 

Former congressmen

Lacson also disclosed during the hearing that Co would not be attending the hearing as he "is still overseas due to medical reasons," citing information from the latter's lawyer Ruy Alberto Rondain. 

“Let me state clearly that this Committee takes strong exception to the statement made by Atty. Rondain, specifically his apprehension, and I quote, 'I am apprehensive that any statement he (Mr. Zaldy Co) may give before the Committee will, at best, preempt any defense he may set up.' Our invitation was directed to Mr. Co himself, not to his lawyer,” Lacson said.

Aside from Co, there were other former congressmen who were also newly invited on Friday's hearing:

• San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan Mayor Florida "Rida" Robes
• Former Cong. Florencio Gabriel "Bem" Noel
• Former Cong. Marvin Rillo 
• Former Cong. Teodorico "Teodoro" Haresco Jr. 
• Former Cong. Antonieta Eudela 

Today, November 14, is the seventh public hearing of the Blue Ribbon Committee on the flood control scandal. 

To recall, Orly Guteza, the "surprise witness" introduced in a flood control hearing on September 25 by Senator Rodante Marcoleta, claimed that he personally delivered suitcases of money to the residences of Romualdez and Co.

Contractor Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya II also previously alleged that Romualdez and Co were mentioned to him repeatedly by at least one politician and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) representatives, respectively, in relation to commissions off flood control projects.

Discaya later clarified that he did not have any personal transactions with the two.

Both Romualdez and Co have denied allegations that they were linked to the flood control scandal. — VDV, GMA Integrated News