Lacson: Draft Blue Ribbon report recommends raps vs senators, ex-officials

The draft report of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is poised to recommend the filing of criminal and administrative charges against senators and former lawmakers in connection with its investigation into anomalous flood control projects, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson said the draft committee report includes Senators Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada, and Chiz Escudero, former Senator Bong Revilla, former Ako Bicol Party-List Representative Zaldy Co, and former Caloocan Representative Mitch Cajayon-Uy.

“‘Yun nga sinabi kong reality sa ground. We are recommending them to undergo preliminary investigation (PI), and they are already undergoing PI, so why would we go against what’s already happening?” Lacson said.

Villanueva, Estrada, and Revilla were implicated to the controversy by dismissed Bulacan First District Engineer Henry Alcantara in September 2025.

Villanueva faces a malversation complaint, while Estrada and Revilla face separate plunder complaints filed with the Department of Justice.

Meanwhile, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo implicated Escudero in the alleged corruption scheme.

All the officials and former officials have denied the allegations.

Asked about former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Lacson said Romualdez falls under a different category, as his recommendation is based on corroborative evidence.

According to Lacson, the draft report requires 11 signatures to become an official committee report eligible for deliberation.

Senators Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, and Kiko Pangilinan have already signed. He noted that while six senators initially signed, three later withdrew their signatures.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III previously emphasized that the draft committee report is not yet “an official report” and remains subject to discussion.—MCG, GMA Integrated News