Senate Blue Ribbon Committee (SBC) Chairman Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson reaffirmed that the committee remains open to hearing out the 18 former Marines who claimed to have delivered allegedly misappropriated funds to government officials, reportedly amounting to ₱805 billion in kickbacks linked to flood control projects.

Lacson clarified that the ex-Marines were not immediately called to testify because their statements appeared exaggerated and could risk turning the hearings into a “circus,” undermining public trust.

“It insults the intelligence of the Filipino people to claim they delivered ₱805 billion,” Lacson said, noting he believes there was indeed money delivered, but the amount did not reach the staggering figure claimed.

He advised Attorney Levito Baligod to have his clients revise their testimonies to align more closely with verifiable facts, stressing that accurate statements would allow the SBC to formally summon them.

Lacson also rejected accusations of shielding anyone, pointing out that several senators were named in his partial report on the flood control anomaly, which he submitted despite personal discomfort.

Currently, only four senators have signed the SBC Partial Committee Report, with five more needed before it can be sponsored in the Senate plenary. Lacson emphasized his commitment to follow the evidence wherever it leads.