Lacson plans to resume flood control probe, to invite ‘very important witness’

Senate Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said that if he is given the chance to be reappointed as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, he will schedule the next hearing on the anomalous flood control projects on 14 November.

In a post on X, Lacson announced that he plans to invite Technical Sergeant (T/Sgt.) Orly Guteza and a “very important witness” to help expedite the filing of cases against politicians, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, and contractors involved in the alleged irregularities.

“To help speed up the filing of airtight cases against some politicians, DPWH Officials and errant contractors, we will invite, among others, a ‘very important witness’ and retired T/Sgt. Orly Guteza to shed more light on his ‘sinumpaang salaysay,’” Lacson said.

On 25 September, Guteza — a former security consultant for former Ako Bicol Partylist representative Zaldy Co — was presented as a witness by Senator Rodante Marcoleta during the panel’s hearing. According to Marcoleta, Guteza was referred to him by former Anakalusugan Representative Michael Defensor.

In his testimony, Guteza claimed that he delivered 46 “basura” — a codename for suitcases filled with money — to the homes of former Representative Zaldy Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Lacson initially scheduled the flood control hearing for 8 October, but it was postponed due to the absence of the affidavit of contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya, as well as a notarized document involving Guteza and lawyer Petchi Espera.

Espera denied notarizing Guteza’s affidavit, saying her signature and other details were falsified and unauthorized. Lacson said the Blue Ribbon Committee referred the issue of possible falsification to the proper authorities for further investigation.

Meanwhile, Lacson confirmed he has discussed with Senate President Vicente Sotto III the possibility of reassuming the Blue Ribbon Committee chairmanship after he vacated the post on 6 October.

During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on 22 October, Sotto said Lacson wanted to return because he had “unfinished business” with the Blue Ribbon panel.

“He felt that our colleagues and even the public knew he had left things behind that needed to be continued. As they say, it was unfinished business in the Blue Ribbon,” Sotto said in Filipino.