LIVESTREAM: Senate blue ribbon committee resumes flood control probe

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate blue ribbon committee continues its investigation into alleged corruption in flood control projects on Monday, January 19, following the return of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan and the issuance of subpoenas to several key figures.

The committee’s chairman, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, earlier accused Bonoan of submitting a list of fake project coordinates to Malacañang, leading to a bloated count of ghost flood control projects in the country.

Bonoan returned to the Philippines on Sunday, January 18, after spending a month longer in the United States than he had initially indicated.

Lacson also said the committee will extend an invite to the former owner of a luxury property in Makati City which former House speaker Martin Romualdez supposedly purchased through the Discaya couple. Romualdez has since denied the accusations, and claims he never met the Discayas.

The Senate president pro tempore said other personalities with alleged ties to anomalous flood control projects have been subpoenaed:

• former congressman Zaldy Co
• former Department of Education undersecretary Trygve Olaivar
• Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana
• Maynard Ngu, the alleged bagman to Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero

Bookmark this page or tune in to Rappler’s YouTube channel to watch the hearing live at 1 pm. – Rappler.com