Manila: Senator Erwin Tulfo on Tuesday announced that he would be stepping back from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's investigation into alleged flood control anomalies. This decision comes in light of his recent appointment as the Blue Ribbon chairperson and aims to address public calls for his recusal to ensure transparency in the investigation process.
According to Philippines News Agency, Senator Francis Pangilinan is set to lead a newly formed subcommittee that will handle the inquiry into the flood control issues. Tulfo emphasized that once a special session is convened, the real Blue Ribbon Committee will be established, and the subcommittee will take charge of all investigations related to flood control. In a radio interview, Tulfo stated, "I said once there is a special session, the real Blue Ribbon will be formed. After that, we will designate a subcommittee that will handle all investigations on flood control."
Senator Pangilinan, known as Senator Kiko, will chair this subcommittee, as confirmed by Tulfo. "That is why I will inhibit and I will not handle flood control. Senator Kiko will handle flood control," he remarked. Tulfo also reassured that the Senate majority is not avoiding the flood control investigation, emphasizing that the issue will be addressed once the Blue Ribbon Committee is appropriately constituted. He added, "No, we are open," and mentioned that records from earlier flood control proceedings should already be with the Office of the Ombudsman.
In response to reports of a supposed Blue Ribbon hearing announced outside the Senate, Tulfo clarified that such events are merely press conferences or media forums. He insisted that an official committee hearing requires the presence of the Senate secretariat, recorders, and video documentation to be legitimate.
Earlier, former congressman Mike Defensor had posted an online appeal urging public attendance and support for what he called a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing at an events place in Quezon City, naming several senators and personalities linked to the planned gathering. Tulfo stressed that witness claims and allegations should be presented in the proper Senate forum to ensure that testimonies are officially recorded and examined for the committee's work.
