Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings suspended indefinitely

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings on alleged anomalous flood control projects have been suspended indefinitely by Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, as confirmed by committee chairman Senator Ping Lacson.

The suspension is due to the unavailability of "tell-all" affidavits from the Discaya couple and the conclusion of an investigation into notarized documents concerning TSgt Guteza and Atty Espera.

A hearing initially scheduled for October 8 to summon former DPWH Mimaropa regional director Gerald Pacanan, at the request of Senator JV Ejercito, has been cancelled.

Pacanan was among 10 DPWH officials who received a show-cause order from Secretary Vince Dizon to explain their reported lavish lifestyle and involvement in substandard projects.

Lacson cited the conflict between the Blue Ribbon Committee hearings and budget and Commission on Appointments (CA) hearings as an additional reason for the suspension.

Legislative proposals related to the probe will proceed through executive sessions.

Senator Imee Marcos had previously expressed confusion over rumors of a partial report, and Lacson advised her to attend hearings for clarification.