Manila, Sept. 25 -- Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair Panfilo Lacson on Thursday told Minority Leader Senator Rodante Marcoleta that the panel cannot compel Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co to attend its hearings, citing the principle of inter-parliamentary courtesy.

Marcoleta had pressed the committee to invite Co, along with Sunwest Construction - the company he founded - and businessman and former Ilocos Sur governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, saying their names had been repeatedly raised in testimonies.

"As you know, you have been a congressman for many years. We do not invite or summon members of Congress in the same manner that they don't invite senators to their hearings," Lacson said.

"It is up to the congressmen or senators con...