Hontiveros: 18 'ex-bodyguards' could be subpoenaed to attend Blue Ribbon hearing

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday warned the 18 alleged former Marines that skipping the Blue Ribbon Committee’s flood control scandal probe, chaired by Senator Erwin Tulfo, may result in the issuance of subpoenas and show-cause orders against them.

“Inaasahan ko rin na i-imbitahan ng chair itong 18 ex-bodyguards sa hearing kapag fully constituted na yung committee, and dapat hindi nila baliwalain yung imbitasyon ng komite dahil pag ginawa pa nila yun magiging subject sila sa subpoena at show cause order, at higit pa, sa komite,” Hontiveros said during the consultative meeting.

(I expect the chair to invite the 18 ex-bodyguards to attend the hearing when the committee is fully constituted, and they should not ignore the committee's invitation because if they do, they will be subject to subpoena and show-cause order, and more, from the committee.)

Despite the Tulfo-led Blue Ribbon Committee’s invitation, the 18 individuals did not attend the consultative meeting, which was suspended after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit offshore Sarangani.

The 18 individuals who claimed to be former personnel of the Philippine Marine Corps who allegedly delivered kickbacks to government officials arrived at the Senate and went to Senator Robin Padilla’s office.

Lawyer Levito Baligod, their legal counsel, said the group was open to attending the legislative inquiry. However, he said Senator Erwin Tulfo should recuse himself from the investigation since he is one of the accused.

"Kasi sabi ko nga, ayaw naming i-legitimize na si Mr. Erwin Tulfo ang Blue Ribbon Committee [chairman], pero haharap kami kahit saang venue. Kahit saang venue, haharap kami," Baligod said.

(As I said, we don't want to legitimize Mr. Erwin Tulfo as the blue ribbon committee [chairman], but we will show up wherever the venue is.)

"Ang committee ay merong power of contempt. Ngayon, inaakusahan naming isa, si Erwin Tulfo. Sa tingin n'yo ba ay aamin siya? Hindi, di ba?" Baligod said.

(The committee has the power [to hold someone in] contempt. Now, one of those we accused [of being recipients of suitcases containing cash] is Erwin Tulfo. Do you think he will admit to that? He won't, right?)

Last week, the bloc led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano held its own blue ribbon committee probe where the 18 individuals implicated some incumbent lawmakers in the flood control mess, such as Senators Erwin Tulfo and Vicente "Tito" Sotto III to which denied the allegations. — BM, GMA News