Chiz Escudero joined session without preconditions, says Lacson

There are no conditions or deals behind the decision of Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero to attend Wednesday's session and break the Senate impasse, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said.

"As fas as I know, he did not ask for anything, he did not set any preconditions. He joined the session voluntarily, based on his statement, to break the impasse and preserve the integrity, dignity and reputation of the Senate," Lacson said in an interview on "24 Oras."

Lacson said there were also no discussions about Escudero's pending case linked to the flood control anomalies.

Lacson was the chairperson of the Blue Ribbon Committee, which looked into the alleged involvement of Escudero and several other key personalities in the irregularities. The committee report of the inquiry failed to gather enough signatures to be sent to plenary.

He said he submitted the evidence gathered by the committee to the Ombudsman, which is investigating the scandal.

"Nasa kanya na (Escudero) na ipagtanggol ang kanyang sarili sa nagaganap na imbestigasyon. Wala na sa kamay namin iyon. Naipadala ko na sa Ombudsman ang lahat ng ebidensya. Bahala na ang Ombudsman to evaluate," Lacson said.

(It's up to him to defend himself in the ongoing investigation. It's no longer in our hands. I have sent the evidence to the Ombudsman, it's up to the Ombudsman to evaluate).

Lacson said they were informed about Escudero's plan to attend the session at around 1 p.m.

In a separate interview, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan said getting Escudero to bolt the faction of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano took a long process.

"Mahabang proseso (It was a long process), but thankfully, he agreed," Pangilinan said.

He added that the Senate can "hopefully have a fresh start" with Sen Sherwin Gatchalian at the helm.

Applause from fellow senators greeted Escudero as he entered the Senate plenary hall at around 3 p.m. to join the 11 minority senators.

Escudero said the ongoing impasse in the chamber had become "untenable and unacceptable" and was already affecting the Senate's performance of duties.

With 12 senators present, a roll call was called and a quorum was declared, paving the way for the election of Senate officials, except for the Senate presidency, and heads of several key committees.

The Senate had failed to convene for two days since Monday due to the absence of the members of the majority bloc.

Lacson said they have expressed their appreciation to Escudero for his concern for the Senate. —LDF, GMA News