Senator Robinhood Padilla on Monday welcomed Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson’s reinstatement as chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee, urging colleagues to stop political bickering and let the chamber focus on seeking accountability.
Padilla said that regardless of political color, senators should remain calm and avoid mudslinging over the committee’s leadership.
He lamented that the Blue Ribbon Committee, known for exposing corruption, has become “like a Red Ribbon” due to internal conflicts and rivalries.
“While I understand that many of our fellow countrymen in the minority bloc favor Senator Rodante Marcoleta, we cannot insist on our preference because the power to appoint the committee chair does not lie with the minority,” Padilla said.
Padilla allied himself alongside Senators Francis Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano, Joel Villanueva, Christopher Lawrence Go, Ronald dela Rosa, Imee Marcos, Jinggoy Estrada, and Marcoleta in the Senate minority.
He said the group would instead place its trust in Lacson’s leadership and hope he can restore the committee’s focus on integrity and truth.
Lacson, who resigned as Blue Ribbon chair in early October after tension with some colleagues in both the minority and majority, earlier said that the committee will hold its next hearing on November 14.
He said the session will tackle alleged anomalies in flood control projects and will include a “very important witness.”
Lacson confirmed that retired Technical Sergeant Orly Guteza has been invited to shed light on some reports, questioning his credibility.
The veteran lawmaker assured that he will lead the hearing with impartiality and will rely solely on evidence to guide the investigation.
