Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Monday said that Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson will replace Sen. Rodante Marcoleta as chairperson of the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations, also known as the Blue Ribbon Committee.
Lacson is now set to lead the Senate’s motu proprio inquiry in aid of legislation into allegations of corruption concerning the award and implementation of flood control projects in the country, dubbed “Philippines Under Water.”
Marcoleta earlier today led the third public hearing of the said Senate probe on anomalous flood control projects, which began on August 19.
Following the hearing, Lacson was elected as the new Senate President Pro Tempore, replacing Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, in a leadership shakeup that also saw Sotto ousting Francis “Chiz” Escudero as president.
According to Sotto, Marcoleta would not remain as the chairperson of the Blue Ribbon Committee since the position is “reserved for the majority.”
Lacson’s election as chairperson of the said panel will be formalized during a plenary session.
