Sotto: Senate flood control probes to continue

While the Senate Blue Ribbon committee has canceled its Wednesday hearing on flood control anomalies, there will still be discussions — in executive sessions — on corrupted budgets and infrastructure projects.

- By NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS

Senate President Vicente Sotto III made this clear yesterday as he denied that the Senate investigation on anomalies in flood control projects has been suspended, even as some senators had expressed unease over the direction of the Blue Ribbon probe.

Blue Ribbon chairman Sen. Panfilo Lacson confirmed the cancellation of the Wednesday hearing, but said it was due to scheduling conflicts and to pending documentary evidence.

Lacson said the hearing was arranged at the request of Sen. JV Ejercito, who wanted to summon a former Mimaropa DPWH official.

However, Lacson said he decided to postpone the hearing after learning that the "tell-all" affidavits of contractor-couple Curlee and Sarah Discayas were not yet ready.

He also said authorities have yet to validate the authenticity of a notarized document earlier presented by a witness, former M/Sgt. Orly Guteza, before the committee. A lawyer earlier claimed the signature on the affidavit was not hers.

"Having been informed that both would not be ready within one week, not to mention that the BRC (Blue Ribbon committee) hearing will be in conflict with the budget and CA (Commission on Appointment) hearings, I informed SP Sotto of the cancellation until further notice," Lacson said.