Gatchalian-led Blue Ribbon Committee summons 18 ex-soldiers to flood-control probe

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee under the bloc led by acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has invited 18 former military personnel who claim they delivered kickbacks from flood-control projects to attend its hearing on Monday, June 8.

In a memorandum issued by committee chairperson Senator Erwin Tulfo, the panel asked for the attendance of lawyer Levito Baligod along with the 18 ex-soldiers who previously made the allegations.

The session is part of the committee’s motu proprio investigation into the so-called “Philippines Under Water” controversy, which involves accusations of irregularities in government flood-control projects.

The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. at the Senate Session Hall in Pasay City.

The invitation comes after the June 4 proceedings convened by the bloc of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, despite objections from the Gatchalian-led bloc, which earlier announced the postponement of the hearing and designated Tulfo as the new Blue Ribbon chair.

During that disputed session, individuals identified as alleged bagmen of former House appropriations chairperson Zaldy Co testified that they had delivered suitcases and paper bags filled with cash to various politicians and government officials.

Among those mentioned during the hearing were President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Sen. Erwin Tulfo, Sen. Tito Sotto, Rep. Leila de Lima, and Rep. Gerville Luistro. All of them have denied the allegations.

The Gatchalian-aligned bloc strongly rejected the legitimacy of the Cayetano-led proceedings, describing them as "bogus," "unauthorized," and lacking official sanction following the recent Senate leadership and committee reorganization.

Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Thursday that it had received information suggesting the group represented by Baligod may have been bribed in connection with their testimonies.