Romualdez, Co to be invited in Senate flood control scam hearing

National

THE Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will extend invitations to former Speaker Martin Romualdez and resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co as it expands its investigation into alleged irregularities in multibillion-peso flood control projects, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson announced on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

Lacson, who chairs the panel, said Romualdez would be invited through House Speaker Faustino Dy III out of inter-parliamentary courtesy, while Co—now a private citizen—would be summoned directly.

Should Co ignore the invitation, Lacson noted, the committee has the authority to subpoena and even order his arrest for contempt if he continues to defy the Senate without valid grounds, a report by Philstar said.

Co has earlier claimed that he is abroad for medical treatment and is believed to be in Europe. His name surfaced in connection with the controversial flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro linked to Sunwest Inc., a contractor previously associated with him.

The decision to invite Romualdez and Co follows mounting criticism from senators who warned against what they described as “selective investigation.”

Sen. Francis Escudero, in a fiery privilege speech, cautioned that senators were being cast as scapegoats while House members allegedly implicated in the anomaly were being shielded.

Lacson, however, assured the public that the Blue Ribbon inquiry would remain impartial and continue for “as long as there are new major developments that need to be examined.” He stressed that the investigation would follow the evidence, regardless of political affiliations or the discomfort it may cause.

“If we stop the probe now, we may reinforce the perception, rightly or wrongly, that we are covering up for someone. No. We will go where the evidence leads us,” Lacson declared. “Nobody is being targeted, and nobody will be spared.”(Xienderlyn Trinidad, USJ-R Comm Intern)