During the resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Monday, January 19, the panel moved to issue show-cause orders against former Ako Bicol party-list representatives Zaldy Co and former Philippine Marine Orly Guteza after they failed to appear in the investigation into the flood control scandal.

The two were directed to explain their absence from today's hearing, despite having been subpoenaed by the committee.

Blue Ribbon Committee Chairperson Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said that if Co and Guteza fail to provide an acceptable explanation for their non-attendance, the committee may issue warrants of arrest against them.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said he was considering the immediate issuance of arrest warrants against Co and Guteza, noting that they neither appeared at the hearing nor sent representatives on their behalf.

“Those who did not respond and perhaps we may discuss it to the members of the committee for us to either ask for a show cause or issue a warrant of not responding to the subpoena of the Senate. We have done this before, numerous times," Sotto said.

However, Lacson clarified that due process requires the issuance of a show-cause order first.

Lacson further warned that should Co and Guteza continue to ignore the committee’s summons and fail to attend future hearings, the blue ribbon would issue another subpoena, which could ultimately lead to the issuance of arrest warrants if they persist in defying Senate orders.

Out of the 12 individuals subpoenaed by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, only Co and Guteza failed to attend the hearing. The other 10 subpoenaed individuals were present, including former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel "Manny" Bonoan.