Tulfo: Blue Ribbon panel may probe Taguig flood control allegations

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Erwin Tulfo said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee may launch an investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects in Taguig City, following reports that a family member of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano has called for a probe into the matter.

In an interview with DZBB on Sunday, July 19, Tulfo, citing a news report, said that Cayetano’s younger brother, former Taguig Mayor Lino, is willing to testify and is calling for an investigation into flood control projects in Taguig spanning from 2022 to 2025, which reportedly amount to P6 billion.

"Siguro dapat mag-ready siya doon dahil kapatid niya mismo ang humihingi ng imbestigasyon dahil may nakita yata yung kanyang kapatid," Tulfo said.

(Perhaps they should prepare for that because their own sibling is the one requesting an investigation, likely because that sibling discovered something.)

Tulfo said he was previously unaware of the P6-billion allocation for flood control projects in Taguig, noting that he is a newcomer in the Senate.

However, he said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee would look into the matter and invite Lino to shed light on the issue.

Aside from Lino, Tulfo said he plans to invite other individuals to the hearing on the flood control projects, including detained former lawmaker Mike Defensor, Levito Baligod and several former bodyguards.

Tulfo said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is scheduled to formalize its membership on the morning of July 27, the day of the State of the Nation Address.

Meanwhile, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said he is gathering informants and witnesses who could provide evidence against Cayetano.

“My integrity is my first and last line of defense and I will fight to defend it with all my might. Sen Cayetano has crossed the line by attacking it,” Lacson said in a social media post. 

“As of this morning, I’m still counting informants and witnesses, directly or through intermediaries, willing to provide information and evidence to put him in his proper place - the Payatas, QC jail,” he added. 

The statements by Lacson and Tulfo came after Cayetano called Tulfo a "lapdog" of Lacson. Cayetano, who is allied with two senators facing plunder charges, also questioned the integrity of the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth of the two lawmakers.