Lacson to resign as Senate blue ribbon chair

MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is resigning as chairperson of the powerful blue ribbon committee following other senators’ statements on the direction of the flood control probe.

In a dzBB interview on Sunday, October 5, Lacson said he took note of the “disappointment” expressed by his colleagues over his handling of the investigation into the corruption in government infrastructure projects.

“Sabi ko nga, nagsisilbi ako bilang chairman at the pleasure of my peers,” he explained. “Kung wala silang tiwala sa akin, then hindi naman ako ganoon kamanhid para hindi maramdaman iyon kasi nakapag-exprress sila ng disappointment.”

(As I said, I serve as chairman at the pleasure of my peers. If they don’t have confidence in me, then I’m not so insensitive that I wouldn’t feel it, because they were able to express their disappointment.)

Lacson said he has yet to speak with Senate President Tito Sotto but is already drafting his resignation, which he intends to submit to the plenary once the Senate reconvenes.

The Senate has also decided to suspend its blue ribbon committee hearings on the anomalies until further notice over alleged unavailability of documents and scheduling conflicts.

‘False narratives’

The senator’s decision to step down as blue ribbon committee chairperson comes less than a month after he assumed the role from Senator Rodante Marcoleta. It also underscores rising tensions among lawmakers amid the ongoing investigations.

Senator JV Ejercito on Thursday, October 2, said that the Senate is “losing focus on the real perpetrators and those behind the chaos,” according to a report by Inquirer.net.

Lacson, however, called out what he called the “false narratives” about his handling of the Senate probe. He cited disruptions and premature criticisms that created a perception that he was mismanaging the hearings, even though he believes he has conducted them properly.

“Pero kung ang pananaw ng aking mga kasamahan, ay ganun na ang tinutumbok na direksyon, sino naman ako para mag-insist na mag-chair pa ng committee?” he said. “Maybe sa kanilang pananaw, meron mas magandng mag-handle, edi iwan ko na sa kanila iyon.”

(But if my colleagues’ perspectives point in that direction, who am I to insist on continuing as committee chair?” Maybe from their point of view, someone else could handle it better, so I’ll leave it to them.) – Rappler.com