Sotto backs resumption of flood control hearings

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Monday said the investigation of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee into alleged anomalies in flood control projects should continue, noting that several issues involving the 2025 national budget have yet to be fully examined.

Sotto described the 2025 national budget as a “killer budget,” saying that many alleged irregularities stemmed from it.

“Marami pang dapat maungkat, hindi lang sa Luzon kundi sa Visayas at Mindanao, tungkol sa 2025 budget. ‘Yan ang pinaka-crucial. ‘Yan ang tinatawag na killer budget—doon talaga nagkanda-loko-loko,” he said in an ambush interview.

(There are still many things that need to be uncovered, not just in Luzon but also in the Visayas and Mindanao, regarding the 2025 budget. That is the most crucial part. That is what they call the killer budget—things really went wrong there.)

Asked if former Speaker and incumbent Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez should be invited to the next Blue Ribbon hearing, Sotto said: “Lahat ng dapat nating imbitahin na makapagbigay linaw sa mga nangyayari, dapat imbitahin.”

(All those who should be invited to clarify what is happening should be invited.)

Romualdez has denied any involvement in alleged corruption related to the 2025 national budget, stressing that there is no evidence linking him to plunder, conspiracy to commit plunder, or any similar offense.

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Panfilo “Ping” Lacson earlier said he would present a progress report on the flood control investigation through a privilege speech.

He said the speech would pave the way for the resumption of hearings, as he continues to gather enough signatures for a partial committee report.

Lacson also said the progress report includes portions of the partial committee findings, which may be submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Ombudsman once delivered in plenary.—MCG, GMA News