Flood control hearing deferred pending Chavit Singson's affidavit —Lacson

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has postponed its scheduled hearing next week, April 14, on alleged anomalous flood control projects, said panel chair and Senate President Pro Tempore Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday.

Lacson said the panel will first "wait" for the submission of a sworn affidavit from former governor Luis “Chavit” Singson and additional signatures for a partial committee report.

"The Committee has deemed it necessary to reschedule the public hearing contingent on the mitigation of the current National Energy Emergency and the formal submission of your sworn affidavit, including all pertinent supporting documents,” Lacson said in a letter to Singson.

He also said that the committee may consider resuming hearings if Singson submits at least a draft of his affidavit and if five more members sign the report to allow its presentation on the plenary.

“Additionally, the Committee has deferred the resumption of the hearings pending the review and signing of the Partial Committee Report currently before its members," said Lacson.

Lacson noted that the committee had given Singson until April 7 to submit his draft affidavit but received no response.

According to the senator, the initial invitation was sent to Singson via email on March 25. 

When there was no reply, a copy of the invitation letter was delivered to Singson’s residence on April 6, while the deferment notice was sent on April 7.

Only four members have signed the partial committee report but nine signatures are required to constitute a majority and allow it to be presented on the plenary, Lacson said.

Meanwhile, Lacson said he is considering submitting a Chairman’s Report on the flood control projects issue to the Office of the Ombudsman, along with documents, transcripts, and other evidence gathered from at least seven hearings for its preliminary probes. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA News