Cites discontent among colleagues
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson yesterday announced that he is stepping down as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee amid fresh scuttlebutt about another brewing reshuffle in the upper chamber.
Lacson’s announcement comes amid growing unease among his colleagues over the flood control scandal that has implicated several senators.
“No amount of criticisms from misinformed netizens and partisan sectors can distract or pressure me from doing my job right, but when my own peers start expressing their group or individual sentiments, maybe it is best to vacate,” he said.
Some senators earlier already expressed concern in previous plenary sessions and probe hearings that the committee’s probe into alleged anomalies in public works projects is getting too close to home.
“Nevertheless, I will continue to fight a corrupt and rotten system in the misuse and abuse of public funds as I have consistently done in the course of my long years in public service,” Lacson assured.
The Blue Ribbon Committee has been investigating alleged irregularities in flood control projects involving Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, contractors, and politicians.
The controversy has exposed possible collusion schemes, with reports of ghost or substandard projects used to channel funds into kickbacks.
“If you ask me, I would say I handled the hearings well. But there are those trying to disrupt the hearings. In one instance, the hearing had barely started when someone tried to make a distraction. That is why there is a perception that the hearings were not handled well,” Lacson said.
Senator JV Ejercito earlier expressed frustration that the Senate was “burning down its own house” instead of focusing on the real culprits behind the alleged multibillion-peso fraud.
Ejercito admitted he had considered leaving the majority bloc, saying the chamber appeared to be turning against itself while letting those responsible escape scrutiny.
Senator Imee Marcos also clashed with Lacson over the investigation, accusing some senators of “ganging up” on their peers instead of working together.
She publicly left the Senate group chat after Lacson advised her to attend hearings and read updates to avoid confusion about the probe’s direction.
“Rightly or wrongly, when quite a number of them have expressed disappointment over how I’m handling the flood control project anomalies, I thought it’s time for me to step aside in favor of another member who they think can handle the committee better,” Lacson said.
Still, he denied that another coup in the chamber is afoot, and that the leadership of his ally, Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III, is in danger.
“Not true,” he said about rumors that several senators might switch sides and support Cayetano as the next Senate President.
Lacson referred to the rumors as “old rehashed psywar tactics to confuse the majority bloc.”
On Saturday, the Blue Ribbon panel temporarily canceled its legislative inquiry into anomalous flood control projects “until further notice” to focus on budget deliberations and other pressing matters.
Lacson confirmed this development in a text message to reporters, noting that some of the affidavits they need from witnesses would not be ready on time.
These include the “tell-all” narratives from contractor couple Pacifico ‘Curlee’ and Cezarah Rowena ‘Sarah’ Discaya, as well as the resolution of the issue between volunteer witness Orly Guteza and lawyer Petchie Espera, who denied notarizing his affidavit.
“Having been informed that both would not be ready within one week, not to mention that the [Blue Ribbon Committee] hearing will be in conflict with the budget and CA (Commission on Appointment) hearings, I informed SP Sotto of the cancellation until further notice,” Lacson told reporters.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano is calling for a “snap election” for the country’s political leadership, encompassing both the Executive and Legislative branches, with no incumbents allowed to participate for one election cycle.
“People have lost trust in government and government officials. Honestly, who can blame them? So here’s a thought: What if we all just resign and allow a Snap Election?” he said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Lacson to resign as Senate Blue Ribbon chairman”
