Senate flood control probe resumes January 19Pedestrians cross on a makeshift pathway along P. Burgos Street in Manila as gutter-deep floodwaters cover the road following a heavy downpour on September 6, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — The Senate Blue Ribbon committee will resume its flood control hearings next week to address alleged witness retractions, enforce attendance through subpoenas and begin scrutinizing public works documents known as the “Cabral files,” its chairman Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said Saturday. “I already informed colleagues in the majority through our chat group and I already asked Senate President (Tito) Sotto for permission to have a quorum on Jan. 19 at 1 p.m.,” Lacson told radio dzBB. “We will issue them a subpoena, and if they still refuse to appear, we will recommend to the Senate President that they be issued warrants of arrest,” he said. On the so-called Cabral files, Lacson said the committee is preparing to verify documents allegedly detailing allocations for flood control and other infrastructure projects.

Source: Philippine Star January 11, 2026 16:06 UTC