Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Monday resigned as chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee.
In a letter addressed to Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Lacson cited the dissatisfaction of other senators on the “direction” of the legislative inquiry on the alleged anomalous flood control projects for his resignation.
“In the course of the current investigation, which has implicated some senators in the flood control mess, a number of our colleagues have expressed disappointment with the ‘direction’ of the Blue Ribbon Committee, which this representation chairs,” said Lacson.
“Furthermore, some senators publicly and secretly pursue the narrative that I am zeroing in on several of my colleagues while purportedly protecting those members of the Lower House perceived to be the principal actors in the budget anomalies related to the substandard and ghost flood control projects,” he said.
The solon categorically denied the allegations, saying the panel goes “where the evidence leads us” and the “misrepresentations are being floated mostly by critics opposed to our efforts to get to the bottom of the flood control anomalies”.
“To all my colleagues, let me reiterate: there are no political considerations in any and all my actions related to my handling of the committee hearings and other related activities. Truth is, I do not need to amass political capital, much less at the expense of anybody, because I entertain no further political plans after my term ends in 2031,” said Lacson.
“Having said all that, I hereby tender my resignation as the chairman of the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations, otherwise known as the Blue Ribbon Committee,” he added.
Sotto confirmed receipt of the resignation letter.
On Saturday, Lacson said the committee suspended initial plans to resume its investigation into anomalous flood control projects as some documents for the next hearing will not be ready in time due to a conflict with other Senate inquiries.
The suspension of the hearing is also due to the deliberations on the 2026 budget and the Commission on Appointments.
Senator Imee Marcos earlier said some senators were puzzled as there have been talks that the Lacson-chaired committee would no longer hold another hearing, and a partial report would be released instead.
Lacson, however, responded by saying that Marcos should attend the committee hearings to avoid the supposed confusion. –NB, GMA Integrated News
