MANILA – Senator Panfilo Lacson said Thursday that his removal as chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee brings him a sense of relief and does not mark any retreat from his anti-corruption efforts.
In a statement posted on X, Lacson described the leadership change as a “double relief,” saying he was glad both for the transition and for being relieved of committee chair duties.
“Double relief. I feel relieved that I am now relieved of my duties as the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman,” he said.
The Senate recently reorganized committee leadership, appointing Senator Pia Cayetano as the new head of the Blue Ribbon panel.
Lacson emphasized that committee leadership assignments are made by senators themselves, with chairpersons serving at the pleasure of the chamber.
While heading the committee, he led inquiries into alleged anomalies involving flood control projects, which he said contributed to building potential cases against those implicated.
He reiterated that leaving the post would not stop his advocacy against corruption and misuse of public funds.
“I will continue to fight a corrupt and rotten system in the misuse and abuse of public funds,” he said, stressing his long-standing public service commitment.
Lacson also defended the committee’s investigations, saying these were aimed at strengthening evidence for possible prosecution in questionable infrastructure projects.
ia/xf
