Senator Panfilo Lacson challenged critics of the Senate’s investigation into the alleged flood control scandal to present concrete evidence before the Blue Ribbon Committee instead of spreading what he described as “fabricated narratives.”
In a privilege speech, Lacson, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and also serves as Senate President Pro Tempore, addressed criticisms surrounding the panel’s ongoing probe and the controversy over the so-called “67 cong-tractors” issue.
He clarified that he never claimed to possess a list of lawmakers allegedly involved in government contracting, explaining that information previously relayed to him lacked specific details. Still, Lacson said the committee remains open to receiving and verifying credible information related to the allegations.
The senator also defended the Senate’s adherence to long-standing inter-chamber protocols in inviting members of the House of Representatives to hearings, stressing that invitations to incumbent lawmakers were coursed through the Office of the Speaker out of institutional courtesy.
Addressing questions over the absence of former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez during the hearings, Lacson said the panel had already extended an invitation, but the House leader did not attend.
He warned that disregarding parliamentary courtesy between the two chambers could create a precedent that may later expose senators to direct summons from the House.
As an example, Lacson cited a hypothetical scenario involving Senator Rodante Marcoleta being called to a House inquiry over alleged irregularities in campaign finance disclosures.
He also pointed to a previous incident in June 2024 when Senator Ronald dela Rosa declined to attend a House hearing on the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign upon the advice of then-Senate President Francis Escudero, citing the same principle of inter-chamber courtesy.
Lacson likewise dismissed as unfounded the reasons cited by some colleagues for withholding their signatures from the committee’s more than 400-page partial report, including claims regarding the absence of an original signed copy.
Despite the criticism surrounding the investigation, Lacson described leading the Blue Ribbon Committee as a demanding responsibility that comes with constant scrutiny, but stressed that the panel remains committed to pursuing accountability.
He maintained that his actions are guided by duty and principle, adding that accusations and online attacks would not deter the committee from continuing its investigation.