SHOULD he be reelected as chairman of the Senate Blue-Ribbon committee when the Senate resumes session on November 10, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo M. Lacson said he will set Nov. 14 as the panel’s next hearing on allegedly anomalous flood control projects.
Lacson said a ‘very important witness’ will be invited to the hearing to speed up the filing of airtight cases against some politicians, Department of Public Works and Highways officials and erring contractors.
Retired Marine TSgt. Orly Guteza, who earlier testified that as security consultant he participated in dropping off ‘basura’ (bundles of cash stashed in bags and boxes) at addresses associated with politicians, will also be invited to the next hearing.
‘If elected again as Blue-Ribbon [committee] chairman on Nov. 10, our hearing will resume on Nov 14. To help speed up the filing of airtight cases against some politicians, DPWH officials and errant contractors, we will invite among others, a ‘very important witness’ and retired TSgt. Orly Guteza to shed more light on his ‘sinumpaang salaysay,” Lacson said in a post on X.
Guteza is the ‘witness’ presented by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta at the panel’s September 25 hearing. Marcoleta said Guteza was referred to him by former congressman Michael Defensor.
In his testimony, Guteza claimed that he delivered suitcases of cash, which he said was codenamed ‘basura [trash]’, to the homes of ex-Rep. Elizaldy Co and former Speaker Martin Romualdez. Romualdez denied the allegations.
Lacson said the Blue Ribbon committee left the investigation of the possible violation in Guteza’s notarized document to the Executive Judge of the Manila Regional Trial Court, after lawyer Petchie Rose Espera denied notarizing, signing or participating in the preparation of Guteza’s affidavit.
On the other hand, Lacson said he has discussed with Senate President Vicente Sotto III the idea of taking back back the Blue-Ribbon committee chairmanship, after he vacated the post on October 6, citing the ‘disappointment’ aired by some members of the majority over his handling of the proceedings. Many members of the majority were since quoted as wanting Lacson to return.
Lacson maintained that he will maintain a blindfold mentality, meaning he will be impartial and go where the evidence leads him.