Senator Panfilo Lacson file photo – (Senate of the Philippines / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0)
Senator Panfilo Lacson announces his decision to step down as chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, citing colleagues’ dissatisfaction as flood-control investigation continues under new executive and audit reviews.
MANILA — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson announced on Sunday, October 5, his decision to step down as chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, saying he would relinquish the post once the Senate resumes session and he can formally submit his resignation in plenary.
Lacson said he is preparing his resignation letter after learning that several colleagues had expressed dissatisfaction with how he was handling the committee’s hearings on alleged irregularities in government flood-control projects.
“Rightly or wrongly, when quite a number of them have expressed disappointment over how I’m handling the flood-control project anomalies, I thought it’s time for me to step aside in favor of another member who they think can handle the committee better,” Lacson said.
Hearings on hold
Before his announcement, Lacson had suspended the Blue Ribbon hearings, citing delays in the release of key documents from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), as well as conflicts with budget deliberations and Commission on Appointments sessions.
He said the inquiry will remain suspended “until further notice.” Lacson earlier invited former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co to testify, aiming to dispel claims that the hearings were selective .
No successor yet
As of press time, no successor has been named. Senate leadership is expected to decide once Lacson’s resignation is formally manifested in plenary. He acknowledged that committee chairs “serve at the pleasure of one’s colleagues.”
When asked whether Senator Rodante Marcoleta – who previously chaired the Blue Ribbon Committee – might return to the post, Lacson replied: “If he is elected by a majority of senators, it will be his. What can I do?”
Allegations under review
The Senate probe is examining flood-control contracts valued at over ₱545 billion since 2022, including alleged ghost, substandard, and overpriced projects in Bulacan and Central Luzon. Witnesses have claimed kickbacks and manipulated bidding, though those named in testimony have denied wrongdoing.
- The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), created under Executive Order No. 94, is conducting an executive-branch probe on public-works anomalies.
- The Commission on Audit (COA) has begun fraud audits, particularly in Bulacan, following complaints filed through Sumbong sa Pangulo.
- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) reduced funding for flood-control projects in its 2026 proposal while investigations continue.
- The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued immigration lookout bulletin orders (ILBOs) on individuals linked to the projects, while the Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed it is verifying travel records.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said both the Senate and the ICI should “let the evidence lead” and ensure accountability “based on due process.”
Lacson’s announcement comes as the Senate faces what has been described as a period of “flux,” with committee alignments and political blocs reassessing their positions. His anticipatory decision – made before any formal call for his removal – signals both political awareness and sensitivity to the mood within the chamber.
Analysts note that the next Blue Ribbon chair’s leadership could determine whether the flood-control inquiry maintains its pace and credibility or becomes bogged down in political maneuvering. The Blue Ribbon Committee, historically the Senate’s watchdog on government accountability, once again stands at a crossroads between oversight and internal politics.
Whether the hearings continue with vigor or stall under new leadership, the challenge remains: to prove that the Senate’s pursuit of transparency can endure even as its own leadership shifts beneath it.
Shifting ground in the Senate
Lacson’s announcement comes as the Senate undergoes what has been described as a period of “flux,” with leadership adjustments and committee alignments still being discussed. His decision to step down, made before the resumption of session, reflects both internal pressures and an effort to maintain collegiality within the chamber.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will remain in transition until a new chair is chosen. Lawmakers have said the investigation into flood-control projects will continue under Senate oversight, alongside the ongoing audit and executive reviews.
He lost his balls for some reason. How very disappointing.