Senate panel to propose probe, not charges, vs senators in flood control mess
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is set to recommend a preliminary investigation—not charges—against senators tagged in the flood control mess, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson on Tuesday, February 10.
A draft report from the Blue Ribbon Committee recommending charges against Senators Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada and Chiz Escudero was leaked to the media, which was followed by an attempted coup against Senate President Tito Sotto.
While the coup failed, the leaked draft report indeed caused a stir in the Senate.
Lacson told reporters that the wording had been changed, but the meaning remained the same.
“We specified it, instead of using the word ‘charge’; ‘to undergo preliminary investigation’. ‘To undergo fact-finding investigation, to undergo case build-up’, like that,” Lacson said in Filipino.
Lacson explained that the use of the word “charge” was generic, but its connotation was different. To the common person, it would seem like the person is being charged in court.
Only the Department of Justice or the Office of the Ombudsman can file cases in court, Lacson said.
Lacson admitted that the use of the word “charge” had hit a nerve with some senators. Some majority senators suggested softening the language while keeping its intent.
However, Lacson emphasized that the change in wording had nothing to do with the minority bloc nor the recent coup against Sotto.
The Senate will take up and vote on the Blue Ribbon Committee report on Wednesday.
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