MANILA — Sen. Erwin Tulfo on Tuesday inhibited himself from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s forthcoming investigation into alleged irregularities in government flood control projects, paving the way for Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan to lead a special subcommittee that will conduct the high-profile inquiry.
The move comes amid calls for Tulfo’s inhibition and growing public scrutiny over billions of pesos spent on flood control projects across the country.
Tulfo said his decision was meant to ensure the credibility of the investigation and remove any doubts about the Senate’s commitment to pursuing the issue.
“Sabi ko pag nagkaroon ng special session, bubuuin na talaga ‘yung totoong Blue Ribbon. Bubuuin ‘yun at pagkatapos doon, mag-designate tayo ng subcommittee na hahawak ng lahat ng imbestigasyon sa flood control,” Tulfo said in a radio interview.
Tulfo, who was recently designated as chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee, said Pangilinan would head the subcommittee tasked with investigating flood control projects and related concerns.
“Kaya mag-i-inhibit po ako at hindi po ako hahawak ng flood control. Si Sen. Kiko po ang hahawak po ng flood control inquiry,” he said.
The senator rejected allegations that members of the Senate majority bloc were reluctant to investigate the controversy, maintaining that lawmakers remain open to conducting a full inquiry once the Blue Ribbon Committee is formally organized.
“Hindi po, open po kami,” Tulfo said.
He added that records gathered from previous flood control proceedings should already be forwarded to the Office of the Ombudsman for appropriate action.
Tulfo also dismissed a separate gathering being promoted as a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing outside the Senate, saying it lacked the requirements of an official committee proceeding.
According to him, a legitimate Blue Ribbon hearing must be conducted with the participation of the Senate secretariat and include official documentation, recording, and video coverage.
“Hindi po pwedeng Blue Ribbon hearing kasi nga hindi siya official,” he said.
Tulfo issued the clarification after former congressman Mike Defensor circulated an online invitation encouraging the public to attend what he described as a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing at an events venue in Quezon City. Defensor also named several senators and personalities allegedly connected to the planned gathering.
The senator emphasized that testimonies and allegations related to the flood control controversy should be presented before an official Senate forum where evidence can be properly documented, scrutinized, and incorporated into the committee’s investigation.
The Senate inquiry is expected to focus on alleged anomalies involving flood control projects, an issue that has drawn public attention amid recurring flooding incidents and questions over the effectiveness of government-funded infrastructure programs./PN
