Senate flood control probe resumes January 19

MANILA, Philippines, January 12 ------ The Senate Blue Ribbon committee will resume its flood control hearings next week to address alleged witness retractions, enforce attendance through subpoenas and begin scrutinizing public works documents known as the “Cabral files,” its chairman Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said.

Lacson said the resumption is scheduled for Jan. 19 at 1 p.m., subject to a quorum. “I already informed colleagues in the majority through our chat group and I already asked Senate President (Tito) Sotto for permission to have a quorum on Jan. 19 at 1 p.m.,” Lacson told radio dzBB. He said the committee would first tackle reports that former public works engineers Henry Alcantara and Brice Hernandez had supposedly retracted their sworn statements before the panel – claims that the Department of Justice has publicly denied.

Despite the DOJ’s denial, Lacson said the Blue Ribbon would still examine the issue to clarify whether any counter-affidavits were submitted and to spell out the legal consequences if any witness attempts to recant sworn testimony. Lacson said recantations of their sworn affidavits could expose Alcantara and Hernandez to criminal liability for perjury, citing Republic Act No. 11594, which increased the penalties for the offense to up to 12 years in prison, a P1 million fine and perpetual disqualification from public office for government officials.

Even if the pair would recant their affidavits implicating government officials and lawmakers in the flood control mess, Lacson stressed that any attempt to retract testimony would not automatically derail the case, as the statements given before the committee are not standing alone. He said the testimonies of Alcantara, Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza are supported by documentary and circumstantial evidence, including official budget records. “If there is a money trail or paper trail accompanying their testimony, the DOJ or the Ombudsman will consider those,” Lacson said.

Source: philstar.com