Senate flood control probe back on track as hearings resume June 4

National

By Patricia Andrea Pateña-Matheu

IT’S back on track.

THE Senate is set to restart its investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects on June 4, ending weeks of suspension and a reshuffle in the blue ribbon committee’s leadership.

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said on Friday, May 29, that hearings will resume next week, with notices to be issued at the start of the week as the panel moves forward with its probe.

“We will proceed with an impartial process,” Cayetano said, adding that the goal is to establish the full truth behind the allegations.

The hearings had earlier been suspended by Senator Panfilo Lacson, then chair of the committee, pending submission of a partial report to the Senate plenary. The report was signed by seven of the nine committee members.

Following changes in Senate leadership after the removal of Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, the blue ribbon panel was reorganized, with Sen. Pia Cayetano named chairperson and Senators Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada serving as vice chairpersons.

Sotto questioned the legality of creating a subcommittee tied to the investigation, saying in an Inquirer report, “He should do it in plenary on Monday so it will be legal.”

Cayetano also raised concerns about what he described as conflicting positions among key figures and institutions involved in the probe, including the Office of the Ombudsman, Lacson, and Marcoleta, particularly on issues such as the existence of a mastermind and the scope of the investigation.

The Senate inquiry into alleged anomalies in government infrastructure projects began last year and has implicated several current and former officials, including sitting and former lawmakers.

Questions have also emerged over the leadership of the revived probe, as Senator Marcoleta, now vice chair of the blue ribbon committee, faces separate legal action.

The Office of the Ombudsman has secured a precautionary hold departure order against him in connection with a plunder complaint tied to alleged campaign donations during his 2025 Senate bid. Investigators said the complaint was supported by evidence drawn from Marcoleta’s own statements on campaign contributions, which they say were not fully reflected in his required disclosures.

On Friday, the Sandiganbayan issued arrest warrants against Estrada and former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan in connection with a graft case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.

The case includes graft and plunder charges following a recommendation from the Department of Justice (Philippines) over alleged corruption in flood control projects.

Estrada has denied the allegations and has posted ₱90,000 bail in relation to the graft case.(MyTVCebu)