Sotto denies Lacson resigned as Senate blue ribbon chair to save his leadership

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Wednesday refuted claims that Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson stepped down as chairperson of the powerful Senate blue ribbon committee (BRC) to save his presidency of the chamber.

Sotto made the clarification as he confirmed that Lacson had agreed to retain the chairmanship of the anti-corruption panel, weeks after he resigned amid the investigation into the anomalous flood control projects.

“Ang idea of some people sabi nila it’s a ‘King’s gambit.’ Nangingiti na lang kami ni Ping because hindi naman. It could be an idea, but as far as he was concerned, during that time, he was frustrated,” Sotto told the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

(Some people said it is ‘King’s gambit.’ We can only smile because that is not the case. It could be an idea, but as far as he was concerned, during that time, he was frustrated.)

Sotto said the committee will reelect Lacson as BRC chairperson on November 10 during the resumption of the Senate sessions. He also said the members of the BRC are set to meet next week to discuss the “goings on” of the panel.

“We will be conducting a meeting, hopefully on Monday…We will discuss the goings on of the committee, and by November 10, we will reelect or ask Senator Lacson to retake. As far as our last conversation, he has agreed,” he added.

Upon resumption of their hearings, the Senate panel will likewise conduct legislative inquiries on other alleged anomalous government infrastructure projects.

It can be recalled that Lacson resigned as blue ribbon committee chairman on October 6, citing the dissatisfaction of other senators on the "direction" of the legislative inquiry on the substandard and ghost flood control projects.

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

But on Monday, Lacson said that should he decide to return as committee chairman, Sotto should be ready to face the consequences of it as they may lose some members of the majority bloc and possibly his Senate presidency. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News