Lacson steps down as Senate blue ribbon panel chair

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Sunday said he is stepping down as chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee due to alleged dissatisfaction from other senators.

In a statement, Lacson said Senate committee chairpersons serve at the pleasure of their colleagues who elected them.

“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.

He added: “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."

“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 said.

In an earlier interview over Super Radyo dzBB, Lacson said he is considering quitting the Senate blue ribbon committee chairmanship if his colleagues are losing trust in him.

“Kung nagkukulang na ng pagtitiwala ang aking kasamahan, especially kung mas marami sa kanila, hindi na masaya sa pagha-handle sa akin sa blue ribbon, naisip ko na maybe stepping down is an option,” Lacson told Super Radyo dzBB.

(If my colleagues are beginning to lose their trust in me, especially if a majority of them are no longer satisfied with how I handle the blue ribbon [committee], then perhaps it's time for me to consider stepping down as an option.)

“Dahil sa mga naririnig ko na pahiwatig ng aking mga kasamahan eh isa sa mga konsiderasyon ko, mag-move o mag-submit na lang ng aking resignation bilang chairperson at humanap sila ng ibang puwede mag-chairman ng blue ribbon committee,” he added.

(Due to the comments I've been hearing from my colleagues, one of the options I'm considering is to step down or submit my resignation as chairperson and let them find someone else who can lead the blue ribbon committee.)

The senator made the statement as he pointed out that all committees in the Senate and House of Representatives “serve at the pleasure” of their peers since they were elected primarily by the members of the majority bloc. 

On Saturday, Lacson said the Senate blue ribbon committee suspended initial plans to resume its investigation into alleged anomalous flood control projects, as some documents for the next hearing will not be ready in time due to conflict with other Senate inquiries.

These documents are from the Department of Justice and National Bureau of Investigation, he said Sunday, according to GMA Integrated News reporter Mav Gonzales.

The suspension of the hearing is also due to the deliberations on the 2026 budget and Commission on Appointments.

Sen. Ping Lacson says Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on flood control projects is cancelled this week because certain documents from the DOJ and NBI are not yet ready. This is also to give way to the budget deliberations and Commission on Appointments.

— Mav Gonzales (@mavgonzales) October 5, 2025

Former House speaker Martin Romualdez and resigned representative Zaldy Co were invited to the next Senate blue ribbon committee hearing.

Former Speaker Martin Romualdez and resigned Cong. Zaldy Co are invited to the next hearing.

— Mav Gonzales (@mavgonzales) October 5, 2025

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. 

“Nananatiling suspended until further notice kasi hindi natin alam kung kailan magkakaroon ng puwang para sa susunod na pagdinig,” Lacson said in the dzBB interview. 

(It remains suspended until further notice because we don’t know when the next hearing will be.)

When asked if he would be comfortable if Senator Rodante Marcoleta would be reappointed as the Senate blue ribbon committee in an interview Sunday on Super Radyo dzBB, Lacson said, “Kung siya eelect ng majority ng mga senador, edi sa kanya mapunta. Ano magagawa ko?”

(If he were elected by the Senate majority, that position is his. What can I do?)

Last month, Lacson replaced Senator Rodante Marcoleta as the chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee after the Senate elected Vicente Sotto III as the new Senate President to replace Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero. —KG/RF, GMA Integrated News