The Philippine Senate is ramping up its probe into suspected irregularities within the nation's flood control projects, compelling key individuals to testify and ordering the submission of crucial official records. Senate President Vicente Sotto III confirmed the issuance of a dozen subpoenas ahead of the Blue Ribbon Committee's hearing resumption.
Subpoenas Target Key Figures and Documents
In a move to shed light on the controversy, Senate President Vicente Sotto III announced he issued 12 subpoenas ad testificandum. These legal orders require the appearance of individuals identified as resource persons. The list includes notable names such as former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Commission on Audit commissioner Mario Lipana, and resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co, among others.
Simultaneously, a subpoena duces tecum was directed at the DPWH, commanded to Secretary Vince Dizon. This compels the department to submit all official documents pertinent to the Senate's inquiry. The action is specifically aimed at consolidating records known as the "Cabral files," left by the late former DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.
Blue Ribbon Committee Seeks Clarification on Major Allegations
Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee chairperson Panfilo Lacson confirmed the panel will resume hearings on January 19, 2026. Lacson emphasized the need to obtain documents directly from the DPWH to rely on verified, original sources, making official documentation the investigation's priority.
Lacson also revealed serious allegations at the heart of the probe. He stated he received information that former Secretary Bonoan submitted incorrect grid coordinates for thousands of flood control projects to Malacañang. This data was uploaded to the "Sumbong sa Pangulo" website and allegedly resulted in inaccurate listings, including hundreds of supposed ghost projects.
The DPWH is now reportedly attempting to reconcile these inconsistencies by cross-checking records from its internal systems. Furthermore, the committee plans to seek clarification on other persistent reports, including:
- The alleged purchase of a property in Makati City.
- Claims that some witnesses, referred to as the "BGC Boys," may have recanted or plan to recant their testimonies.
- Circumstances around an alleged attempt to take former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo into custody.
A High-Stakes Investigation Resumes
The Senate's decisive move to issue multiple subpoenas signals a serious and escalating effort to uncover the truth behind the flood control anomalies. With key documents and testimonies being formally compelled, the upcoming hearings promise to bring significant developments to a case that touches on government transparency, public fund usage, and infrastructure integrity. All eyes will be on the Blue Ribbon Committee as it reconvenes to piece together the puzzle of the "Cabral files" and the associated allegations.
