Metro Manila, Philippines – Senate President Pro Tempore and blue ribbon committee chairman Panfilo “Ping” Lacson stood by the recommendation to file charges against fellow senators implicated in the flood control corruption scandal, following the leak of a draft partial report that stirred controversy.
In a chance interview with reporters on Wednesday, Feb. 4, Lacson confirmed routing the 456-page draft report that leaked the night before. The report recommends the filing of criminal charges against Senators Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada, and Francis “Chiz” Escudero — all members of the minority — as well as former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla and former representatives Zaldy Co and Mitch Cajayon-Uy.
Lacson said the recommendation was nothing new, noting that the sitting and former lawmakers are already facing other investigations. All have denied involvement in anomalous flood control projects and alleged kickbacks.
“Aligned ‘yun sa practical realities. Sa ground kasi ang nangyayari, those that are being recommended for the filing of criminal and administrative charges andoon na eh, all of them are already undergoing preliminary investigation. Yung iba ng may warrant na eh,” he said.
[Translation: That is aligned with practical realities. On the ground, those being recommended for the filing of criminal and administrative charges are already undergoing preliminary investigation. Some of them already have warrants.]
Revilla and Co were ordered arrested by the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan. Revilla is detained at the Quezon City Jail on non-bailable malversation charges, while Co remains out of the country.
Lacson cautioned against quoting the draft report in full, stressing that it remains subject to changes. But he did confirm that the report also recommends further fact-finding on other lawmakers, including former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
While open to amendments, Lacson said he would refuse to sponsor the report if the provision recommending charges against his colleagues is removed.
“It doesn’t make sense na hindi ko irerecommend ang nangyayari na,” he said.
[Translation: It doesn’t make sense if I do not recommend something that is already happening.]
In a separate interview, Villanueva dismissed the draft report, and even took a swipe at Lacson.
“Who’s the blue ribbon? Is it one person or the entire committee?” he said.
Four signatories left
The report needs at least 11 signatures, or a majority of committee members, to be sponsored and taken up in plenary.
As of Wednesday noon, only four senators have signed: Lacson, Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros, and Senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino.
Majority Leader Migz Zubiri, Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, and Senator Win Gatchalian initially signed the report but later withdrew their signatures.
The Senate majority bloc discussed the draft report during a caucus ahead of Wednesday’s session.
“We’re working on the language pero may meeting of the minds,” Lacson said after the meeting.
Coup attempt
Lacson also said Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III supports the committee and is helping it refine the report.
“Binisita kami ni SP Sotto and he also included his inputs which we accepted because ang concern nga ay yung mga personalities na namemention,” he said.
[Translation: Senate President Sotto visited us and included his inputs, which we accepted because the concern was really about the personalities being mentioned.]
Lacson acknowledged that the controversy could harm Sotto’s leadership, which has been in limbo amid talk of a Senate coup.
“If it will cost his Senate presidency, that’s part of the game. Kung because of a mere committee report na nag-participate rin naman sila, e aayaw na sila at tatanggalin nila ang [If because of a mere committee report which they also participated in, they will reject and will remove the] Senate president, I will take responsibility somehow,” he said.
Speculation about a leadership change intensified after the report leaked. Sotto later acknowledged attempts to oust him, which he said were thwarted by the Senate majority. He also confirmed agreeing to a term-sharing arrangement, under which Senator Loren Legarda is expected to take over the Senate presidency before the 20th Congress adjourns session in June 2028.
