Senate Spars Over Lawmaker’s Invitation to Flood Control Hearing

Senate Spars Over Lawmaker’s Invitation to Flood Control Hearing

By Wilma N Yamzon – TheNationWeek.Com | September 26, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – A debate over parliamentary courtesy erupted within the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Thursday (September 25, 2025), as Chairman Panfilo Lacson and Senator Rodante Marcoleta clashed on the propriety of inviting members of the House of Representatives to hearings on flood control projects.

The disagreement centered on Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, owner of the construction firm Sunwest Group of Companies, who has been implicated in allegations of inserting billions of pesos into flood control budgets.

Marcoleta questioned why Co had not been invited to the hearing, prompting Lacson to assert that “inter-parliamentary courtesy” prevents the Senate from summoning members of Congress.

“There’s what we call inter-parliamentary courtesy. We do not invite or summon members of Congress, in the same manner that they don’t invite senators to their hearings,” Lacson replied, stressing the tradition of legislators appearing before inquiries at their own discretion.

Marcoleta countered, citing a past instance wherein Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco appeared before the committee under his invitation.

Lacson responded, “Well, you can speak for yourself,” maintaining his stance on the established protocol.

The issue stemmed from testimony given in a previous hearing by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer Henry Alcantara, who alleged that Co proposed P35 billion in budget insertions for flood control projects over a four-year period.

Co has denied the allegations.

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III has revoked Co’s travel clearance and ordered him to return to the Philippines within 10 days after receipt of notice.

Co is in the United States, reportedly seeking medical treatment.

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s probe into flood control projects continues to raise questions about transparency and accountability in government spending.