MANILA., Philippines — While President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has established the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), the Senate will continue its investigation into the country’s flood control mess, according to Senate President Tito Sotto and Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson.
Asked by reporters what will happen to the Senate’s probe into the flood control mess, Sotto said that the Upper Chamber will not terminate its proceedings despite Marcos’ new anti-graft body.
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“We will continue in aid of legislation,” Sotto said.
As the new chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Lacson will lead the probe. Prior to his appointment, Lacson had already been investigating the flood control anomalies.
"The independent commission has a separate task but it will complement the Senate Blue Ribbon. We must coordinate closely. We can provide it with the evidence it needs to prosecute those involved. But we can also ask it for the records we need in our legislative work," Lacson said in a statement.
Lacson promised that he would conduct the probe with a “blindfold mentality”.
“It is not right to be partial, much less to cover up for someone, because that will disrupt the investigation," he said.
However, Lacson clarified that the probe will not target any lawmaker, especially Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. Estrada has been tagged in budget insertions and kickback schemes by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer Bricer Hernandez.
Estrada was accused of inserting up to P355 million in the budget as part of the kickback scheme. He has vehemently denied the accusations.
Lacson admitted, though, that such accusations warranted more transparency in the budget process.
While a budget insertion in itself is not illegal, it is improper, Lacson said.
One of those expected to attend Lacson’s future hearing is Mina Jose, a supposed representative of WJ Construction who was seen entering the Senate last August 19 and going to the third floor.
WJ is not one of the top-earning contractors that Marcos mentioned, but it was tagged in the Bulacan ghost projects linked to dismissed DPWH district engineer Henry Alcantara.
DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral will also be invited to the next Blue Ribbon committee hearing. Cabral allegedly asked one of Sotto’s staff for early budget insertions in the 2026 budget.
The infamous Discaya couple will also attend, together with Beng Ramos, the Blue Ribbon Committee staff member who was also named by Hernandez.
Lacson took over the Blue Ribbon committee after Sotto assumed the Senate presidency. He replaced Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who is now part of the minority bloc after not voting for Sotto.