The planned filing of plunder and other charges by the Office of the Ombudsman against personalities linked to the flood control mess vindicate the findings of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.
Lacson said the Blue Ribbon panel’s investigation under his chairmanship had gathered key evidence and transmitted it to the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice.
“Ombudsman (Jesus Crispin) Remulla’s announcement that plunder, malversation and other cases will soon be filed with the Sandiganbayan against the same government officials implicated in the Blue Ribbon Committee’s partial report on the flood control anomaly is a vindication of our findings and recommendations,” he said on X.
In Filipino: Lacson: Kasong Flood Control na Ihahain ng Ombudsman, Nagpapatunay sa Blue Ribbon Probe
Ombudsman Remulla’s announcement that plunder, malversation and other cases will soon be filed with the Sandiganbayan against the same government officials implicated in the Blue Ribbon Committee’s partial report on the flood control anomaly is a vindication of our findings and…
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) May 26, 2026
Lacson chaired the Blue Ribbon Committee until a leadership change in the Senate last May 11.
On Tuesday, Ombudsman Remulla said his office expects to file plunder charges against Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada this Thursday, after the DOJ recommended plunder, bribery and graft cases against Estrada and other former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials.
Remulla also said a plunder case may be filed against Sen. Joel Villanueva, possibly in the next two weeks.
Lacson earlier said that while he was saddened that some fellow senators were linked to the flood control project anomalies, he has a duty to perform.
“It is not a pleasant thing to see some of our colleagues face charges or jail due to the flood control scandal. But painful as it is, I have always maintained that we will go where the evidence leads us. We will not force ourselves to look for evidence that will target certain people including our colleagues in the Senate,” he said.
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Lacson: Kasong Flood Control na Ihahain ng Ombudsman, Nagpapatunay sa Blue Ribbon Probe
Ang nakatakdang paghahain ng Office of the Ombudsman ng mga kasong plunder at iba pang kaso laban sa mga personalidad na sangkot sa flood control scandal ay nagpapatunay sa mga natuklasan ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, ayon kay Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Miyerkules.
Diin ni Lacson, nakapangalap ng mahahalagang ebidensya ang imbestigasyon ng Blue Ribbon panel sa ilalim ng kanyang pamumuno, at naipasa na ito sa Ombudsman at sa Department of Justice.
“Ombudsman (Jesus Crispin) Remulla’s announcement that plunder, malversation and other cases will soon be filed with the Sandiganbayan against the same government officials implicated in the Blue Ribbon Committee’s partial report on the flood control anomaly is a vindication of our findings and recommendations,” ani Lacson sa X.
Pinamunuan ni Lacson ang Blue Ribbon Committee hanggang sa pagbabago ng liderato sa Senado noong Mayo 11.
Noong Martes, sinabi ni Ombudsman Remulla na inaasahang maisasampa ang kasong plunder laban kay Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada ngayong Huwebes, matapos magrekomenda ang DOJ ng mga kasong plunder, bribery at graft laban kay Estrada at ilang dating opisyal ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Sinabi rin ni Remulla na maaari ring maisampa ang kasong plunder laban kay Sen. Joel Villanueva, posibleng sa loob ng susunod na dalawang linggo.
Nauna nang sinabi ni Lacson na bagama’t nalulungkot siya na may ilang kapwa senador na nasasangkot sa mga anomalya sa flood control project, tungkulin pa rin niyang gampanan ang kanyang mandato.
“Hindi nakakatuwa ito na ang mga kasamahan namin na-involve. At ito ang sinasabi natin, masakit man pero lagi kong sinasabi kung saan kami dadalhin ng evidence doon kami pupunta. Di ang kami magpilit maghanap ng ebidensya laban sa mga tao na iba pa naman kasama namin sa Senado,” aniya.
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