‘If the Blue Ribbon degenerates into theatrics, the losers are not only the accused but the Filipino people themselves—robbed twice, first by corruption, and then by the spectacle that prevents real accountability.’
THE Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has long been regarded as one of the most potent instruments of accountability in the country. Its hearings have exposed anomalies, held powerful officials to account, and brought sunlight into the darker corners of governance.
But when the panel allows itself to be hijacked by theatrics, it risks becoming the very opposite of what it claims to be.
That danger came into sharp relief during last week’s hearing on alleged anomalies in flood-control projects. Without notice to the committee or the public, a “surprise witness” named Orly Regala Guteza was presented by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, at the referral of former lawmaker Mike Defensor.
On the surface, Guteza’s allegations were explosive: that he had delivered suitcases of “basura”—his word for cash kickbacks—to the residences of Rep. Zaldy Co and former Speaker Martin Romualdez. Both men quickly denied the charge.
But the manner of his appearance, and the cracks that immediately surfaced in his affidavit, turned what should have been a fact-finding exercise into a spectacle.
The lawyer whose name appeared on Guteza’s affidavit has declared her signature and seal falsified. The Armed Forces of the Philippines had to issue a statement debunking viral posts portraying him as an active Marine. Even his supposed role as a “security consultant” to Co has been contradicted by Co’s own staff, who stated that he was merely a personal assistant to a relative.
And when summoned by the Department of Justice for a background check the following day, Guteza failed to show up.
Committee chair Panfilo Lacson was correct to order a record check and background probe, a necessary step to salvage the Blue Ribbon’s integrity. He also noted that while the affidavit may be disputed, Guteza’s oral testimony under oath still forms part of the record.
Yet the larger issue is not only whether Guteza is a false witness — it is whether the Blue Ribbon is allowing itself to be turned into a stage where half-baked affidavits and dubious witnesses are paraded for political mileage.
This is not accountability. This is a trial by ambush. And when senators themselves enable it, the Blue Ribbon loses the credibility to demand accountability from anyone else.
The public deserves real scrutiny of public works spending, not a circus where surprise guests are sprung without vetting and the truth is buried beneath legal fireworks and political intrigue.
The flood-control scandal is far too serious to be trivialized. Billions in public funds, hundreds of “ghost” projects, and the trust of taxpayers are at stake.
If the Blue Ribbon degenerates into theatrics, the losers are not only the accused but the Filipino people themselves—robbed twice, first by corruption, and then by the spectacle that prevents real accountability.
