Lacson: Five more signatures needed for 'partial' Blue Ribbon report

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday said five more signatures are needed on the partial report of the Blue Ribbon Committee concerning the flood control controversy before it can be presented to the Senate plenary.

Lacson, chairman of the committee, said four senators have signed the report so far: himself, Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros, and Kiko Pangilinan.

“I need five more. I hope some members of the majority read the partial committee report and mag-sign na sila para mai-report natin sa floor so we can move forward,” he said in an ambush interview.

“After I have reported it out, there will be a debate, adoption, and then we can call another hearing. Not necessarily to close the inquiry, but at least to reach a conclusion,” Lacson added.

He said he has yet to determine how many more hearings the committee will hold regarding the flood control controversy, stressing that the partial report must be adopted first.

“Depende sa information that will be obtained,” he said.

Earlier, Lacson said the Blue Ribbon report is expected to recommend filing criminal and administrative charges against several senators and former lawmakers linked to anomalous flood control projects.

Those mentioned include Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada, and Chiz Escudero, as well as former Bong Revilla, former Zaldy Co, and former Mitch Cajayon-Uy.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III earlier revealed that three signatories—Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Sen. JV Ejercito, and Sen. Win Gatchalian—had withdrawn their respective signatures from the draft report earlier presented to them—MCG, GMA Integrated News