By Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel
THE Senate’s decision to defer its investigation into the multibillion-peso flood control scandal to the Office of the Ombudsman is a practical move that could allow lawmakers to focus on legislation, but the probe remains vulnerable to political pressure and public scrutiny, analysts said.
Paul Micah S.A. Francisco, a University of Santo Tomas political science instructor, said the Ombudsman is the more appropriate forum for the investigation, particularly because some senators have been linked to the controversy.
“I prefer this action by the Senate, since it was referred to the proper forum,” he said via Facebook Messenger. “This is the appropriate move specially when one or more of your members are involved in the scandal.”
However, he said the move could fuel perceptions that the Senate is avoiding its responsibility to pursue transparency and accountability, particularly given the high public interest in irregularities in flood control projects.
“It may also be seen as the chamber’s way of sweeping the scandal under the rug,” he added.
Mr. Francisco said the transfer could also increase political pressure and public scrutiny of the Ombudsman’s probe. He said the agency should provide regular updates to reassure the public that the cases are progressing while respecting due process.
Eric Daniel C. de Torres, a University of the East political science professor, said transferring the probe could help the Senate concentrate on legislative work, particularly as the impeachment trial of Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio continues to consume the time of senator-judges.
He also said allegations involving some senators had compromised the chamber’s credibility in investigating the scandal.
Edmund S. Tayao, president and chief executive officer of Political Economic Elemental Researchers and Strategists, took a more critical view, saying the turnover could be interpreted as an admission that the Senate has lost the ability to conduct a credible probe.
“Given the situation in the current Senate where clearly, you have an evidently partisan clique of senators favoring Sara, public trust is impossible,” Mr. Tayao said, referring to the impeachment trial. “Only a new composition by the next election can restore its lost reputation.”
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Erwin T. Tulfo on Friday said he had coordinated with the Ombudsman and agreed to defer the committee’s investigation because the independent agency already has pending flood control-related cases.
The cases were submitted by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure and involve lawmakers, contractors and other government officials, Mr. Tulfo said.
“So if we get involved, things might get delayed, and we don’t want that to happen,” he told reporters.
Mr. Tulfo said on Sunday, however, that the Senate would open a separate investigation into allegedly substandard infrastructure projects.
The flood control controversy has also drawn allegations against several senators. Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Ejercito Estrada, Jr. surrendered to police after charges were filed against him in connection with the scandal.
Senators Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva and Francis Joseph “Chiz” G. Escudero have also been linked to ghost projects, while Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente C. Sotto III and Mr. Tulfo were accused by alleged bagmen of former lawmaker Elizaldy S. Co of receiving cash in connection with flood control kickbacks.
The senators have denied the allegations against them.