MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian warned that the chamber will not recognize any hearing or investigation conducted outside of the duly constituted Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) chaired by Sen. Erwin Tulfo.
Gatchalian on Monday dismissed "any parallel proceedings as carrying no legal weight or institutional authority."
He made the remark after former representative Mike Defensor on Facebook invited the public "to support the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing" on Tuesday to be held in Doublegem EDSA Garden Events Place.
The BRC of the Cayetano bloc is headed by Sen. Pia Cayetano but she created a subcommittee led by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta to focus on the flood control fund scandal.
Defensor sought support for the "Brave 18," or the former aides of resigned party-list representative Zaldy Co who admitted to have delivered "tainted" money in suitcases to several politicians. He also said that 14 more witnesses will come out to share their knowledge about the controversy.
Gatchalian said the Senate "recognizes only one Blue Ribbon Committee, the one headed by Senator Erwin Tulfo."
"Any hearing or investigation conducted outside of this committee has no legal standing, carries no institutional authority, and will not be recognized by the Senate,” he added.
Gatchalian said that the work of exposing corruption and holding wrongdoers accountable is serious business and deserves a proper, legitimate, and duly constituted forum.
He reiterated his call for all witnesses and resource persons to come forward and testify before official Blue Ribbon committee.
"The Senate is focused on the real investigation on corruption under proper procedures and the right forum. That is our promise to the Filipino people," Gatchalian said in Filipino.
