THURSDAY’S resumption of the flood control scam investigation in the Senate was a “non-hearing” and did not exist officially, according to House trial spox Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur said Sunday.
It was just a gathering or a meeting among some senators, Alonto Adiong said.
Alonto Adiong said the alleged hearing was not called by the new Senate leadership and there were no Senate personnel to record the proceedings, where 18 former soldiers reiterated their claim that they delivered funds to certain lawmakers as kickbacks from anomalous or ghost flood control projects.
“Yung mga character na kailangan, kumbaga indispensable for it to be called an official hearing, tulad halimbawa nung mga regular staff, members from both the minority and the majority–‘yung quorum very important —‘yung committee secretary wala doon, even stenographer wala doon,” he said.
“Hindi yata siya officially naging part ng official record ng Senate. So even if you try to kumbaga try to consider that on the basis of the requirement in their rules, eh hindi mo talaga masasabi na nagkaroon ng hearing,” he said.
Alonto Adiong noted that no one from the new Senate majority attended the supposed hearing.
“I mean, obviously, kung sa amin lang, talagang hindi siya matatawag na hearing. Baka possible pang meeting among and between, maybe it could be described as meeting between and among friends. But not as an official hearing…walang committee staff, walang record sa Senate,” he said.
He said unfortunately for the former soldiers, their statements in the hearing are not part of the official Senate record of proceedings.
The Mindanao House leader said he hoped that senators could resolve their leadership crisis soon for the stability of the Senate.
He lamented that the leadership fight has degenerated into personal attacks and recriminations among senators.
“I hope maayos talaga, kasi sabi ko hindi lang ang personal na usapan dito…pati na rin ang institution. So tayo naman, we are hoping sana magkaroon ng semblance of stability na ang Senado,” he said.
Alonto Adiong said he was also hoping that whoever faction prevails in the Senate, the impending impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte would push through.
He pointed out that while the House of Representatives has done its job in the impeachment process, he expects the Senate to do its part.
“Wala talaga kaming option but to hear the complaint dun sa pinasa against the Vice President. In the same manner ng Senado being part of their constitutional duty, wala talagang option but to try and decide,” he said.
“So ang sa atin lang naman, hindi lang miyembro ng Kamara but bilang isang citizen of this country, bilang isang Pilipino, we are hoping that there will be stability in the coming days dyan po sa Senado,” Alonto Adiong added.
