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Photos from Tulfo’s office showed the three having a meeting at the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City. Tulfo's office via Harlene Delgado
MANILA (UPDATE) — The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will now formally yield the investigation into flood control anomalies to the Office of the Ombudsman, according to its chairman Senator Erwin Tulfo on Friday, adding that a new investigation by the panel is underway.
Ombudsman Boying Remulla had a meeting with Tulfo and Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday, August 7, with Tulfo calling it a "coordination" regarding future cases.
“Initially, napag-usapan namin ni Ombudsman na everything that has to do with flood control sila na maghahawak kasi ang dami na rin ongoing,” Tulfo said.
“So, kung baka pakialaman pa namin, mapurnada pa and we don't want to do that. So what he was saying, ‘kami nang bahala,’ maybe you can start looking for ika nga other mga cases pag may mga dinala sa amin sa Senate,” he added.
Asked if it was Remulla himself who requested to take over the probe, Tulfo responded, “That is what he said, gusto niya kung pwede para hindi na baka bumangga pa dun sa investigation nila. Kasi ganun din naman. Diba mag-i-investigate ka, if you're a fact-finding guy, you're investigating also.”
The lawmaker said he will meet with the panel’s members for the turnover of flood control documents to the Office of the Ombudsman.
On Senator Ping Lacson’s probe into alleged corruption in Taguig public works, Tulfo said he will not meddle on the issue and will leave it up to Remulla’s office.
“So napag-usapan din namin ni Senator Ping, sabi niya para mas mabilis. So hindi ko na papakialaman. Ayaw ko naman ika nga pakialaman yung gusto niya. Nakakahiya naman po ‘yun,” he said.
NEW PROBE
Moving forward, Tulfo said his panel will soon launch a new investigation into another anomaly.
He declined to divulge the issue to be investigated but hinted that it involves a high-ranking official and a matter of public concern.
“We're still gathering information. Don't want to make any comment. Ayoko na pangunahan, pero definitely. Ginagamit po natin lahat everyday,” he said.
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