A House leader warned against using renewed Senate investigations into the flood control corruption scandal to weaken or divert attention from the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
The lawmaker said accountability must apply to all officials implicated in wrongdoing, but one corruption probe should not be used to discredit another
In an interview, House trial spokesperson and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co said that the youth sector has long demanded accountability over alleged irregularities in flood control projects. Still, she cautioned that the timing and handling of the Senate inquiry must be carefully watched.
“Sa puno’t dulo ang kabataan, kami po ang isa sa pinakamainay para magkaroon ng pananagutan doon sa nangyari sa flood control corruption scandals,” she said.
She also noted that the public should not be made to believe that accountability in one case is being weaponized to weaken accountability in another.
“Ang pananagutan dapat sabay-sabay and pantay-pantay na ginagawa nating lahat,” she said.
The lawmaker said the flood control issue must be investigated on its own merits, not used to cast doubt on the impeachment proceedings against Duterte.
“Hindi po dapat gamitin ‘yung flood control para sabihin o tanggalan ng kredibilidad ‘yung pananagutang ginagawa natin kay VP Sara,” she said.
The warning came as the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is set to resume its inquiry into the flood control scandal on June 4 through a subcommittee headed by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.
The Senate leadership and committee lineup shifted after May 11, the same day Duterte was impeached, with several senators aligned with or supportive of the vice president taking key posts in the chamber.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano earlier said the subcommittee would proceed with the flood control investigation. The Blue Ribbon Committee is chaired by Sen. Pia Cayetano, with Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Marcoleta serving as vice chairpersons.
The House trial spokesperson said that any official found to be involved in corruption should face accountability, regardless of political affiliation.
“Kung may sangkot sa korapsyon, kailangan siya managot,” she said.
Duterte is expected to file her answer to the articles of impeachment on June 1.