PASAY CITY—Four days after the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee probe of the Cayetano’s bloc, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee of the Gatchalian bloc officially reopened its investigation as well into anomalous government flood control projects on June 8, targeting deep-seated kickback schemes within state infrastructure programs. 

Led by newly organized panel leadership, the committee gathered top officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Office of the Ombudsman. 

The high-profile briefing aimed to secure critical updates on the prosecution of personalities already implicated in the multimillion-peso scam.

Senator Erwin Tulfo strictly drew the line against political theater, vowing to anchor the revived inquiry entirely on hard evidence and credible testimony rather than speculation. 

Presiding over the committee meeting, Tulfo rejected reckless allegations and emphasized that the panel’s priority is uncovering the truth while pushing for pending legislative reforms to safeguard government infrastructure spending. 

“Tungkulin po ng Blue Ribbon Committee na tiyakin na ang bawat alegasyon ay nakabatay sa matibay na ebidensya at mapagkakatiwalaang testimonya…Hindi tayo narito para magbigay ng hatol batay lamang sa haka-haka. Narito tayo upang alamin ang katotohanan,” Senator Tulfo stressed, shifting the focus toward strengthening anti-corruption measures.

The hearing took a sharp turn when all 18 former security aides, who previously claimed firsthand knowledge of the irregularities, failed to appear despite receiving official notices. 

Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian zeroed in on their absence, expressing deep regret over their non-appearance. 

“Ito po ang pinakamahalagang venue para ilahad ang katotohanan,” Senate President Pro Tempore Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian pointed out several critical inconsistencies and gaps in the joint affidavit previously submitted by the bodyguards, who had claimed they personally delivered billions of pesos in flood control kickbacks to various politicians.

Lawmakers emphasized that appearing before the panel remains the single most important venue for the whistleblowers to substantiate their massive claims. 

Moving forward, the Blue Ribbon Committee of the Gatchalian bloc plans to crack down on the missing witnesses while working closely with the NBI and the Ombudsman to review the financial trail.

‍