Lacson: Looming raps vs. Jinggoy, Villanueva vindication of Blue Ribbon probe

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’s planned filing of plunder and other related charges against Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva over their alleged links to the flood control scam is a vindication of Senate blue ribbon findings and recommendations, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Wednesday.

"Ombudsman (Jesus Crispin) Remulla’s announcement that plunder, malversation, and other cases will soon be filed with the Sandiganbayan against the same government officials implicated in the Blue Ribbon Committee’s partial report on the flood control anomaly is a vindication of our findings and recommendations," Lacson said in a statement.

"It is not a pleasant thing to see some of our colleagues face charges or jail due to the flood control scandal. But painful as it is, I have always maintained that we will go where the evidence leads us,” he added.

He further said there is nothing personal about the Senate blue ribbon panel inquiry’s actions and subsequent findings.

“We will not force ourselves to look for evidence that will target certain people, including our colleagues in the Senate," he said.

Lacson chaired the Senate blue ribbon committee until a leadership change in the Senate last May 11, when Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa surfaced after almost six months in hiding to install Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate President.

He has since been replaced by Senator Pia Cayetano as Senate blue ribbon panel chairperson.

The report of the Blue Ribbon committee on flood control mess did not gather enough signatures to be reported to the plenary.

Lacson previously said the report was poised to recommend filing criminal and administrative charges against senators and former lawmakers in connection with its investigation into anomalous flood control projects.

This includes Senators Estrada, Villanueva, Francis "Chiz" Escudero, as well as former senator Bong Revilla, former Ako Bicol Party-List Representative Zaldy Co, and former Caloocan Representative Mitch Cajayon-Uy.

The individuals have denied the allegations. —AOL, GMA News