Romualdez, Eric Yap, 16 others to be invited to next Blue Ribbon hearing

Senate Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson confirmed on Tuesday, 11 November, that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Benguet Lone District Rep. Eric Yap, and 16 others are set to be invited to the next Blue Ribbon hearing on Friday, 14 November.

According to Lacson, these lawmakers were exposed by contractor couple Curlee and Sara Discaya, who allegedly received kickbacks from their projects.

"After the election this afternoon, we will be back to work, and then this includes sending an official invitation through the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives," Lacson said in an ambush interview.

The senator said they will also invite former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, who is currently outside the country, to attend the hearing through an online meeting.

"We will be extending our invitation to Zaldy Co if he can participate via Zoom," Lacson said in Filipino.

"His testimony will not be valid unless he's in the premises of the Philippine Embassy of the country he is staying in. If not, he can still testify, and after the testimony, he can affirm the content of his testimony to a consul. That's if he cannot physically go to an Embassy," he explained.

He also spoke with Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto to ask Finance Committee Chair Sherwin Gatchalian to vacate 14 November for the continuation of the committee's hearing.