Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson was officially re-elected on Tuesday as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
No senator objected when Senator Joseph Victor ‘JV’ Ejercito moved to reinstate Lacson to the panel overseeing investigations into alleged corruption in government flood control projects.
Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III formally declared Lacson elected after confirming no objections were raised.
Lacson resigned last month amid criticism from colleagues over the focus and direction of the committee’s investigation.
In his resignation letter, Lacson said some senators accused him of targeting certain members while shielding others from scrutiny.
Lawmakers, including senators and representatives, have been implicated in alleged kickbacks tied to substandard and ghost flood control projects.
Meanwhile, the committee is set to resume hearings on Friday, November 14, with a “very important witness” expected to attend.
Lacson confirmed to reporters that the witness arrived before the plenary session began and has already prepared a draft affidavit.
The senator said the witness could provide new leads implicating additional officials in the ongoing flood control controversy.
In addition to the key witness, 19 members of the House of Representatives, including former Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez, will be invited to the hearing.
Invitations to the House members will be sent through the office of Speaker Faustino Dy III, Lacson said.
Former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co will also be invited to participate via video conference if he cannot attend in person.
Lacson explained that Co’s testimony would only be valid if he appeared at a Philippine embassy abroad, but he may still affirm his affidavit through a consul.
“All systems go,” the senator said.
