Lacson sees 'consequences' on Senate leadership with possible blue ribbon return

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Monday said that should he decide to return as chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III should be ready to face the consequences of it as they may lose some members of the majority bloc. 

Lacson said that he already discussed such a scenario with Sotto when the possibility of giving back the blue ribbon chairmanship to him was raised. 

“If I am elected again to head the committee, we should be ready for any and all consequences of my actions and decisions, including losing some members of the majority bloc and consequently, his Senate presidency,” Lacson said. 

Lacson resigned as blue ribbon committee chairman earlier this month, citing the dissatisfaction of other senators on the "direction" of the legislative inquiry on the alleged anomalous flood control projects. 

Following his resignation, Senator Erwin Tulfo, vice chairman of the committee, was named as the acting chairperson of the panel. 

“In retrospect, a simple, practical question crossed my mind when I decided to resign last October 6: What BRC chairmanship are we talking about if we lose the majority to the current Cayetano-led minority bloc?” Lacson said. 

“Having said all that, if I decide to get back the BRC chairmanship, that question will no longer be a factor,” he added. 

The Senate on October 10 adjourned session in time for the Undas break with no changes in leadership amid rumors of such.

Before the session adjourned, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano denied that there was a resolution being circulated seeking to replace Sotto as Senate President.

The majority bloc is currently composed of 15 members, while the Cayetano-led minority bloc has nine members, which includes the so-called Duterte bloc. The latter only needs the support of at least four more senators for a possible shakeup.

‘Leave minority out’ 

In response to Lacson’s statement, Cayetano asked Lacson not to drag the Senate minority bloc in their “internal struggles” in the majority bloc. 

“As he admits, his decision to step down from the Blue Ribbon Committee didn’t come from the minority—it came from dissatisfaction within their own ranks. Let’s not rewrite history,” Cayetano said. 

“Kung may tampuhan man sila sa majority, ayos lang ‘yan (if they have a problem in the majority, that's fine)—politics will always have its share of drama. But let’s not turn the Senate into a teleserye. The Blue Ribbon Committee is not about personalities; it’s about serving the people and protecting the dignity of the institution,” he added. —LDF, GMA Integrated News