Senate Blue Ribbon held a 'meeting,' not a hearing? Pangilinan explains

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Monday explained why the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee convened a committee meeting rather than a formal hearing as it tackled allegations involving anomalous flood control projects.

Pangilinan, a member of the bloc led by acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, said the panel has yet to be fully constituted because not all of its members have been elected following recent leadership changes in the Senate.

"Kaya ito ay hindi hearing at ito ay committee meeting, consultative meeting, ay dahil kinikilala natin na hindi pa nahahalal ang lahat ng miyembro ng Committee on Public Accountability at dahil hindi pa nahahalal lahat ng miyembro, hindi pa constituted ang committee," Pangilinan said.

(This is not a hearing but a committee meeting, a consultative meeting, because we recognize that not all members of the Committee on Public Accountability have been elected yet. Since not all members have been elected, the committee has not yet been fully constituted.)

Pangilinan said that while the committee has already elected a chairperson, Senate practice allows the chair to hold consultative meetings even without a quorum and before the committee is fully organized.

"Although the chairperson has been elected, and the chairperson, as legislative practice will show, is sometimes allowed to hold consultative meetings even without a quorum and even if the committee has not been fully constituted," he added.

The explanation came as the Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Senator Erwin Tulfo, conducted a consultative meeting on allegations that kickbacks from flood control projects were delivered to government officials.

The Senate has undergone leadership changes in recent days, including the election of Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore and his designation as acting Senate President by 12 senators on June 3.

Pangilinan also distinguished Monday's proceedings from a separate Blue Ribbon gathering conducted last week by a faction led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

"This is in contrast to the previous so-called hearing last Thursday, wherein the Blue Ribbon Committee was declared vacant," Pangilinan said.

"Even before we removed the former Senate President, they already sent out notices for the June 4 hearing, which is an indication of disregard for Senate rules," he added.

The issue stems from competing claims over the leadership and composition of the Blue Ribbon Committee following the Senate reorganization.

During Monday's consultative meeting, 18 alleged former Marines who claimed they had delivered cash-filled suitcases to politicians and other personalities did not participate in the proceedings despite being invited to the Senate. Instead, they stayed at the office of Senator Robin Padilla.

The group had earlier appeared at a Blue Ribbon proceeding conducted by the Cayetano bloc but refused to testify before the panel. The allegations also linked them to former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.

Meanwhile, National Bureau of Investigation Director General Melvin Matibag attended Monday's meeting and recognized the Tulfo-led proceeding as the "legitimate Blue Ribbon Committee" consultative meeting.

Senator Risa Hontiveros warned that the 18 alleged bagmen could face compulsory measures once the committee is fully constituted.

"I also expect the chair to invite these 18 ex-bodyguards once the committee is fully constituted. They should not ignore the committee's invitation because if they do, they may be subjected to subpoenas and show-cause orders, and more serious consequences," Hontiveros said.

She said the panel may issue subpoenas and other sanctions should the witnesses continue to refuse to appear before the committee.—MCG, GMA News