Baguio City Mayor Declines Senate Invitation
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong chose not to attend the Senate blue ribbon panel’s investigation into the anomalous flood control projects in the country. He explained his decision by stating a preference to testify first before the House of Representatives, officials reported.
In a letter addressed to the Senate, Magalong conveyed that he declined the invitation to prevent any interference with possible actions against those responsible. He assured that he will make himself available to the Senate once he has testified at the House inquiry. This decision highlights the mayor’s careful approach to the ongoing investigation involving flood control projects.
Senate Reactions to Mayor Magalong’s Absence
Senate blue ribbon committee chair Rodante Marcoleta expressed uncertainty on how to process Magalong’s stated reason, pointing out that the House of Representatives may not have even extended an invitation yet. The situation has stirred debate within the Senate, with some questioning the validity of the mayor’s excuse.
Meanwhile, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada regarded the letter as sufficient grounds to excuse the mayor from the Senate hearing. “Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the leadership of the House may just invite him in the near future,” Estrada noted.
Disagreement Over Jurisdiction and Invitation
Sen. JV Ejercito cited a recent interview in which Magalong said he intends to “bring the battle to the battleground,” implying his preference to appear first before the House. However, Marcoleta challenged this stance, emphasizing that it is not Magalong’s prerogative to decide whether the hearing belongs to the House or the Senate blue ribbon committee.
“I am not taking this against him; palagay ko hayaan na lang natin hatulan na lang siya ng tao kung dapat ba siyang nagpunta dito o hihintayin muna siya na siya ay imbitahan pa ng House,” Marcoleta said. (I’m not holding this against him. I think we should just let the people judge whether he should have come here or waited to be invited by the House first.)
Concerns Over House Invitation and Senate’s Position
Sen. Erwin Tulfo raised the point that the House might not even extend an invitation to Magalong. In response, Marcoleta said the Senate panel cannot judge the House’s intentions but stressed that their invitation was clear and sincere.
“We cannot judge what the House of Representatives will do pero ang invitation natin malinaw na sana’y magpahayag siya rito, tutal tayo naman ay nag-invite na,” he said. (We cannot judge what the House of Representatives will do, but our invitation was clear that we hoped he would speak here, since we already extended the invitation.)
He added, “…[Kung] hindi siya iimbitahin edi bahala na lang sila kung ano gusto nila mangyari, but as far as we are concerned, we are serious in inviting him to help us shed [light] on some issues that this committee is trying to deliberate on.” (If he won’t be invited, then it’s up to them whatever they want to happen, but as far as we are concerned, we are serious in inviting him to help us shed light on some issues that this committee is trying to deliberate on.)
Other Key Officials Absent from Hearing
Aside from Mayor Magalong, other notable absences included Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon and former Public Works Undersecretary for regional operations Eugenio Pipo Jr. Dizon cited pressing and urgent concerns within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as his reason for not attending, according to his letter.
Pipo stated he did not attend because he had resigned from his post and been replaced. However, committee chair Marcoleta accepted Dizon’s explanation but dismissed Pipo’s excuse as invalid. “Even if you resigned, for courtesy, you have to be present because you were invited for a hearing,” Marcoleta said.
The committee has deferred any action against the absentees, indicating that the matter will be addressed in future sessions, sources said.
For more news and updates on flood control projects, visit Filipinokami.com.
