Lacson says ‘key witness’ may seal flood fund probe

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee may soon wrap up its investigation into the fund irregularities in flood control projects, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, with the expected appearance of what he called a “very important witness” whose testimony could complete the chain of evidence.

Lacson, who recently reassumed the chairmanship of the Blue Ribbon Committee, said the witness is finalizing an affidavit supported by ledgers, digital files, and other documentary evidence.

He described the testimony as “crucial” to building the foundation for possible prosecutions and convictions.

“It’s important because it can wrap up everything that needs to be known leading up to prosecutions and then convictions,” Lacson said in Filipino at the Kapihan sa Senado forum on Tuesday.

The witness, referred to Lacson through a conduit, is expected to present information not previously disclosed by other resource persons. The senator cautioned, however, that the committee would only entertain evidence-based statements.

“If you’re just going to mention a name without supporting documents, don’t mention it because it might just inflict damage on someone,” he said.

Lacson said the next hearing, set for 14 November, may also decide whether to subpoena retired Marine T/Sgt. Orly Guteza through the office of Senator Rodante Marcoleta.

Guteza earlier implicated the former House leadership in the alleged anomalies, but Lacson said his statements must be corroborated by another witness or by credible documentary evidence.

“What we need from Guteza is corroboration — whether it’s another witness or documentary evidence. Otherwise, mere allegation by one person might not hold water,” Lacson said, noting that multiple other witnesses had named former representative Zaldy Co in connection with the same issue.

No spying

Lacson also urged Guteza to bring his claims formally before the Department of Justice or the Office of the Ombudsman if he intends to pursue prosecutions. “If the goal is to prosecute and secure a conviction, he must face the DoJ or Ombudsman,” he said.

Amid speculation that the investigation is politically motivated, Lacson vowed the Blue Ribbon committee would remain impartial.

“There is talk that someone is being protected or favored — it’s not like that. When the hearings resume, nothing will change in my direction as chairman — wherever the evidence leads us, we’ll go there,” he said.

Lacson clarified that his earlier request for a copy of the 25 September CCTV footage of the Senate was not meant to monitor or “spy on” Marcoleta but to help find Guteza, who has since gone missing.

“There is no news on Guteza — that’s the reason I thought of reviewing the CCTV footage of 25 September. It was not my intention to spy on Senator Marcoleta,” he said.

The footage, Lacson explained, could help identify who Guteza might have been with that day and possibly lead investigators to someone who could contact him.

“The real reason we wanted to find that footage is to give us a clue as to who might have been with him, someone we can reach out to and send the invitation through, because he’s missing,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa reportedly presented a possible corroborating witness, known in Guteza’s testimony as either “Paul” or “Mark.” One of them is believed to have traveled to Europe, possibly with the delegation of Co, though this was unconfirmed.

“Mark and Paul are important figures in this case because they were allegedly the ones who made the deliveries,” Lacson said. “That’s what we need from Guteza — someone to corroborate his statement, whether another witness or documentary evidence.”