MANILA, Philippines – Suportado ng dalawang mambabatas ang pahayag ni Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson na walang ebidensyang nag-uugnay kay dating Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez sa flood control controversy.
Kasabay nito ay iginiit ang pangangailangan para sa fact-based investigations at due process.
Nag-isyu ng magkahiwalay na pahayag sina Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong at Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno ng Antipolo City matapos na sabihin ni Lacson na ang Senate blue ribbon committee ay maaaring umakto lamang sa ebidensya at walang matibay na patunay na may kaugnayan si Romualdez sa flood-control controversy.
“This reinforces what should be obvious in any serious inquiry — without factual evidence, sworn statements, and documents, there is nothing to pursue. Critics should stop the political noise and pressure tactics. Investigations are not trial by rumor,” ani Adiong.
Tinukoy din ng mambabatas ang pahayag ni Lacson na walang witness na direktang nagtuturo kay Romualdez maliban kay Orly Guteza, ang “whistleblower” na pinalutang ni Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.
Nananatili ring “unsubstantiated” ang testimonya ni Guteza at bigo itong humarap sa Department of Justice, Office of the Ombudsman, o Independent Commission on Infrastructure para patunayan ang kanyang mga sinabi under oath.
“When a witness disappears, and no sworn affirmation follows, you cannot manufacture a case. Public officials deserve the same fairness expected of any citizen,” sinabi pa ni Adiong.
“The Senate chair was clear: there was no pressure, and even if there were, it would not work. That should put to rest the conspiracy theories. Let evidence speak. If there is none, then stop harassing people in the court of public opinion. Our country deserves sober debate, not sarswela [theatrical political drama].”
Samantala, sinabi rin ni Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno na ang pahayag ni Lacson ay nagsisilbi lamang paalala na ang mga imbestigasyon ay dapat na may sinusunod na mga ebidensya at hindi lamang political pressure, o unsubstantiated claims, kasabay ng paggiit na ang due process ang magiging batayan ng anumang Senate Blue Ribbon Committee inquiry.
“Senator Lacson categorically rejected those allegations, and those of us who know him can confirm that pressure would not work on him. Public discourse should be guided by evidence and fairness. When there is no proof, everyone should stop turning serious issues into political theater,” sinabi ni Puno.
Ang pinakahuling pahayag ni Lacson ay nag-ugat sa sinabi ni Senador Imee Marcos na ang 2026 national budget ay naglalaman ng “excessive pork” at pinagbabawalan umano niya ang mga miyembro ng Senate blue ribbon committee na idawit ang ilang personalidad kabilang si Leyte Rep. Romualdez, sa nagpapatuloy na imbestigasyon sa flood control projects. RNT/JGC
