Senator Erwin Tulfo accuses Senate minority of allegedly stalling flood control probe

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairperson Senator Erwin Tulfo on Tuesday accused members of the Senate minority bloc of allegedly attempting to derail the committee's investigation into anomalies surrounding flood control projects.

Speaking to reporters, Tulfo revealed he is pushing to convene a Blue Ribbon hearing next week despite what he described as deliberate resistance from across the aisle.

“The obstacle, to tell you the truth, is the other side. It’s not us in the majority. I won’t name names, but real talk: they are asking us not to proceed with the Blue Ribbon [inquiry],” Tulfo said in Filipino.

Tulfo highlighted the apparent contradiction in the minority’s stance, pointing out that the very senators criticizing the Senate leadership for allegedly suppressing the probe are now urging his committee to stand down.

“You are the ones inciting [criticism against] Senator Win’s leadership, including me, saying we are hiding something. Yet now, you're telling us not to continue the hearing for now,” Tulfo added.

While declining to explicitly name the senators opposing the inquiry, Tulfo hinted that their identities were obvious based on the subjects of the investigation.

“Who is being investigated? Who is Senator [Panfilo] Lacson targeting?” Tulfo said.

Tulfo’s remarks come amidst Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s ongoing crusade against alleged irregularities in flood control projects—specifically those in Taguig City, the political stronghold of Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano. Earlier Tuesday, Lacson confirmed he had turned over his investigative findings to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Senator Cayetano's statement

Cayetano has repeatedly denied any involvement in alleged "ghost" flood control projects in Taguig. On July 22, 2026, Cayetano called on authorities to conduct a comprehensive, nationwide investigation into alleged "ghost" flood control projects rather than focusing selectively on Taguig City.

In a statement the senator raised the issue during a Facebook Live broadcast on July 19 following reports that Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon is looking into allegations originally brought forward by Senator Panfilo Lacson.

Cayetano questioned the scope of the inquiry, emphasizing that allegations of infrastructure irregularities exist in various parts of the country and should all be scrutinized equally.

The Minority Leader pointed out that in April, DPWH Secretary Dizon, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, and key agency officials personally conducted joint inspections of local infrastructure projects as part of routine monitoring efforts.

Cayetano stressed his readiness to face accountability if any irregularities are legitimately proven in Taguig, but insisted that the investigation must maintain fairness and objectivity.

-Paraluman News