MANILA — Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee held a consultative meeting rather than a formal hearing on allegations involving anomalous flood control projects because the panel has not yet been fully constituted following recent leadership changes in the Senate.

In a media report, it said that Pangilinan, a member of the bloc aligned with acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, said not all members of the Committee on Public Accountability have been elected, preventing the committee from reaching full formation.

“Kaya ito ay hindi hearing at ito ay committee meeting, consultative meeting, ay dahil kinikilala natin na hindi pa nahahalal ang lahat ng miyembro ng Committee on Public Accountability at dahil hindi pa nahahalal lahat ng miyembro, hindi pa constituted ang committee,” Pangilinan said.

He added that while a chairperson has already been elected, Senate practice allows consultative meetings even without a quorum and before full committee constitution.

“Although the chairperson has been elected, and the chairperson, as legislative practice will show, is sometimes allowed to hold consultative meetings even without a quorum and even if the committee has not been fully constituted,” he added.

The statement came as the Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Sen. Erwin Tulfo, conducted a consultative meeting on allegations involving alleged kickbacks from flood control projects.

The Senate has undergone leadership changes in recent days, including the designation of Gatchalian as acting Senate President by 12 senators on June 3.

Pangilinan also differentiated Monday’s proceedings from a separate Blue Ribbon meeting held last week by a different faction led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.

“This is in contrast to the previous so-called hearing last Thursday, wherein the Blue Ribbon Committee was declared vacant,” he said.

“Even before we removed the former Senate President, they already sent out notices for the June 4 hearing, which is an indication of disregard for Senate rules,” he added.

During Monday’s consultative meeting, 18 alleged former Marines who claimed involvement in delivering cash-filled suitcases reportedly did not attend the proceedings despite being invited, and instead stayed at the office of Sen. Robin Padilla.

The group had earlier appeared in a separate Blue Ribbon proceeding conducted by the Cayetano bloc but refused to testify before the panel. They were also linked to former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.

National Bureau of Investigation Director General Melvin Matibag attended the meeting and recognized the Tulfo-led proceeding as the “legitimate Blue Ribbon Committee” consultative meeting.

Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros warned that the group could face compulsory measures once the committee is fully constituted, including subpoenas and show-cause orders if they continue to refuse invitations.

“I also expect the chair to invite these 18 ex-bodyguards once the committee is fully constituted. They should not ignore the committee’s invitation because if they do, they may be subjected to subpoenas and show-cause orders, and more serious consequences,” Hontiveros said.