SENATE TO RESUME FLOOD CONTROL PROBE ON JANUARY 19

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will resume its flood control hearings on January 19 to address alleged witness retractions, enforce attendance through subpoenas, and review public works documents known as the “Cabral files,” Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson announced.

The panel will first examine claims that former public works engineers Henry Alcantara and Brice Hernandez retracted their sworn statements, despite the Department of Justice denying such retractions.

Lacson warned that any false recantations could expose the engineers to criminal liability for perjury, but stressed that existing testimonies are supported by documentary and circumstantial evidence.

The committee also plans to subpoena former public works secretary Manuel Bonoan and resigned education undersecretary Trygve Olaivar if they continue to ignore previous invitations.

Additionally, the panel will scrutinize around P50 billion in unprogrammed flood control projects detailed in the Cabral files, though Cabinet officials allegedly implicated have not been publicly named.

Source: PhilNews24 | January 12, 2026