MANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee chair Panfilo Lacson said he will elevate the committee’s progress on the flood control investigation to the plenary, citing the need to keep the public accurately informed.
Lacson explained that while fellow panel members are free to hold differing views, he believes the matter should be discussed before the full Senate to shed light on the panel’s work and address what he described as misleading claims surrounding the inquiry.
According to him, the committee has already conducted several hearings and gathered substantial findings, which he intends to present in a privilege speech. He stressed that the public deserves clear and factual updates, especially amid accusations that the panel is selectively targeting individuals involved in the alleged irregularities.
The move comes after Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano raised concerns over the emphasis on a partial committee report, arguing that lawmakers should focus on presenting a more comprehensive view of the issue. Cayetano also noted that some senators disagree with portions of the report, indicating that further discussions are necessary.
Lacson, however, pointed out that endorsing the report does not equate to full agreement with its contents. Instead, he said it simply allows the document to be formally presented, debated, and refined on the Senate floor.
With the partial report still short of the signatures required for formal filing, Lacson said he will instead outline its key findings through a Chairman’s Progress Report.
Despite differences within the panel, Lacson emphasized respect for his colleagues’ positions, even as he disagrees with those who have declined to sign the report.
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