Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson confirmed Monday that he will continue the Senate’s flood control investigation following the recent leadership change that re-installed Senator Tito Sotto as Senate President.
In an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos, the senator also shared insights into the orderly transition and his approach to ongoing investigations.
The leadership shift, finalized over the weekend from Saturday to Monday morning, was pre-planned, Lacson said, and reflects the routine dynamics of legislative operations.
“We’ll not go there anymore. Normal nang nangyayari… Basta meron kang 13, kasi 24 kami, ayon reason enough o kaya votes enough na magpalit ng liderato,” he explained, stressing that such transitions are standard and not indicative of ill will.
Lacson praised outgoing Senate President Chiz Escudero for his statesmanship during the transition, recounting how Escudero personally welcomed Sotto and offered to administer the oath:
“In fairness to Senator Chiz, he was most gracious noong pinuntahan namin siya sa office niya. Hindi na nga namin pinakita ‘yong resulotion eh, siya na yung nag-welcome sa amin at nagyakapan sila ni SP Sotto at sinabi niya ‘How would you like to proceed?’, ganun agad tanong niya.”
Flood Control Hearing
Despite the change in leadership, Lacson confirmed that the flood control hearings, initially led by outgoing Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Rodante Marcoleta, will most likely continue as scheduled on September 16. He emphasized the importance of reviewing prior testimonies and documents to ensure the committee addresses all unresolved issues:
“Aalamin ko ‘yong mga testimonya roon, mga dokumento pagaaralan ko siyempre bago ako magdecide dapat alam ko ‘yong pinasok ko at alam ko ‘yong pinanghahawakan na ng committee. Pero tama ‘yon itutuloy ko rin whatever where he left off, itutuloy ko rin ‘yong pagdinig doon kasi marami pang nakabitin pa eh,” he said.
Questions remain about the possible inclusion of Curlee and Sarah Discaya in the Witness Protection Program. According to Lacson, their applications are still under careful review, and he has yet to determine whether their plea for state witness protection will be granted, pending verification of their testimonies and supporting documents.
Relatively, Lacson criticized the Discaya spouses for selectively naming individuals allegedly involved in flood control project transactions, pointing out inconsistencies in their statements.
“Parang selective yata ‘tong memory ng mag-asawa [Curlee and Sarah Discaya]. Titignan natin ‘yon. Kung maglalahad sila ng mga pangalan kailangan kompleto, huwag ‘yong parang namili lang sila.”
Other officials involved in the flood control projects, including former DPWH engineer Brice Hernandez, are also under scrutiny as the Senate investigates possible administrative and criminal lapses.
“Wala nang kawala eh, hindi lang siya [Brice Hernandez] pati ‘yong mga kasama niya roon,” Senator Lacson said, emphasizing that accountability will extend to all involved.
Committee chairmanship elections will follow a brief recess to allow senators to settle after the leadership transition. Lacson noted that there is no requirement for the Blue Ribbon Committee chair to be a lawyer, countering earlier assumptions.
The newly appointed Senate President Pro Tempore, Sen. Ping Lacson will deliver a follow-up privilege speech on September 9, outlining potential criminal and administrative cases stemming from the investigation involving notorious names involved in the flood control issue.
