Lacson is Blue Ribbon panel chairman anew

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Tuesday was reinstated as the chairperson of the Senate blue ribbon committee a month after he resigned from the post at the height of the flood control probe. 

During the plenary session at the Senate, Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito moved to elect Lacson as blue ribbon panel chairman. 

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III approved the motion after no senator objected. 

To recall, 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. 

The flood control hearing is now set to resume on Friday, November 14.

Zaldy on Zoom

Lacson earlier said that former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co will be invited to attend the next blue ribbon committee hearing into the anomalous flood control projects through a video conferencing platform. 

“Si Zaldy Co, we’re extending our invitation kung pupwede siyang mag-participate via Zoom. Of course, kung nasa abroad siya, as we all know, most probably he's abroad, so hindi magiging valid ang kanyang testimony unless nandoon siya sa premises ng Philippine Embassy doon sa lugar na kinaroroonan niya,” Lacson said in an ambush interview.

(We're extending our invitation to Zaldy Co if he can participate via Zoom. Of course, if he is abroad, as we all know, most probably he's abroad, so his testimony will not be valid unless he is in the premises of the Philippine Embassy in the country where he is.) 

“If not, pwede naman siyang mag-testify and then, pwedeng after the testimony, pwede niyang ipa-affirm ‘yung nilalaman ng kanyang salaysay, ‘yung kanyang testimony sa isang consul kung nasaan siya naroroon,” he added. 

(If not, he can testify first, and then after that, he can have his affidavit, his testimony affirmed by a consul where he is.) 

Lacson also emphasized that he has no current communications with Co, and the invitation will only be sent to his address. 

He also said that 17 other congressmen, plus Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, will be invited to the next blue ribbon hearing. —VAL, GMA Integrated News