Senator Erwin Tulfo announced on Friday that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will invite all witnesses who appeared at the Cayetano-led forum when the panel resumes its flood control investigation on Monday. Tulfo, recently elected chairperson of the Blue Ribbon Committee, stated that the hearing was rescheduled to Monday to ensure order and allow full participation from all senators, including Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and his allies.
Inclusive Invitations
In an interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel, Tulfo said, “We will invite all those they invited. Even the Marines, even former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.” He emphasized that all senators would be included as committee members, granting them the ability to ask questions and recommend resource persons.
Clarifying Thursday’s Activity
Tulfo rejected descriptions of Thursday’s event as a Blue Ribbon inquiry, asserting it had no official committee sanction. “I just want to correct that. There was no inquiry. It was a press conference. It was a forum,” he explained. He noted that acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian had declared no hearing would be held on Thursday, and that the official Blue Ribbon hearing had been moved to Monday.
Regarding the Thursday proceeding, Tulfo stated it would not form part of the Senate record due to the absence of official staff required to document a formal committee hearing. “No, because there were no staff members. It was just them. Their real target was to invite the media so mainstream media would cover them,” he said.
Opportunity for Cayetano Bloc
Tulfo said Monday’s hearing would provide members of the Cayetano bloc the chance to question the same resource persons through the official Blue Ribbon process. “It is up to them. If they will not attend, it would be a wasted opportunity for them to ask questions,” he remarked.
He also mentioned that “surprise witnesses” will no longer be allowed, requiring all committee members to be informed in advance of those appearing before the panel. The committee will compel invited witnesses to attend, with contempt charges possible for those who fail to appear without a valid reason. “We will invite them. As a matter of fact, I’m warning them. I’m compelling them to attend, otherwise the Blue Ribbon will file contempt charges,” Tulfo warned.
Future Hearings
The committee is planning a second hearing toward the end of June to hear from additional resource persons not included in the initial invite list. When asked about inviting former Presidential Legislative Liaison Office chief Adrian Bersamin, former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, and former Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, Tulfo said they could be included in the next round. “Maybe in the next round, toward the end of June, the Blue Ribbon will have a second hearing. Of course, we want to hear from them,” he concluded.
