Ang tama ay IPAGLABAN. Ang mali ay LABANAN.
We express our deep appreciation and commend the courageous decision of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to take the floor today and confront the issues facing the institution. His action sent a clear message: that his commitment to the country, to the Senate, and to the Constitution would prevail above all else.
Senators’ “kumusta kayo” and “aalagaan ko kayo” should reflect concern for ordinary Filipinos – not just among themselves – and must be backed by action, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed on Friday.
Lacson said the new Senate minority bloc, where he is a member. is focusing on this by discussing ways to contribute to policy decision-making, while restoring the integrity of the Senate as an institution.
“The Filipinos should be the ones we show concern for. What is their plight? Can they still cope with their situation? When we say kumusta, we should not think of ourselves but ask what is the situation of our fellow Filipinos,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on True FM.
“This is one reason why we in the minority want to contribute and make a difference in policy decision-making, and we can do this if we are in the majority. This is not a condescending claim that only we have the moral authority. This is what emerges from our minority caucuses,” he added.
In Filipino: Lacson: ‘Kumusta Kayo’ at ‘Aalagaan Ko Kayo’ ng mga Senador, Dapat Para sa Ordinaryong Pilipino
Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday dared “critics” of the panel’s investigation into the flood control scandal – including on the so-called “cong-tractors” – to come forward and present proof of their claims.
Lacson particularly addressed the “critics” who use the issue of the supposed “67 cong-tractors,” or House members who are also contractors of government projects, as an excuse not to sign the panel’s partial committee report.
In his privilege speech where he detailed the progress of the panel’s investigation, Lacson also turned the tables on those who insisted on disregarding inter-parliamentary or inter-chamber courtesy in summoning lawmakers to the hearings.
“Kung mayroon mang may hawak ng impormasyon, o kung kaya nilang tukuyin ang iba pang mga cong-tractors na ito—katulad ng ginagawa ni Ombudsman Remulla— name them. If you have the evidence, present it. If you know the perpetrators, expose them (Whoever has information, or if they can name these cong-tractors like Ombudsman Remulla is doing, name them. If you have the evidence, present it. If you know the perpetrators, expose them),” Lacson said. “The Committee will provide the platform for you.”
In Filipino: Lacson, Hinamon ang mga Kritiko na Magprisinta ng Ebidensiya ng ‘Fake Narratives’ sa Blue Ribbon Panel
Former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez should have heeded invitations to attend the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s hearings last November and January to refute allegations linking him to the “mangling” of the 2025 budget, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.
Lacson said the committee issued at least two official invitations to Romualdez to testify on the budget controversy, which has been linked to anomalous flood control projects and other irregularities.
“The Blue Ribbon Committee gave the former speaker at least two chances through official invitations to testify under oath and public scrutiny to what may be his strong argument against allegations of masterminding the ‘mangling beyond recognition’ of the 2025 national budget during the bicameral conference, which he now claims to have been made by only two people – then SP (Senate President Francis) Chiz Escudero and ex Cong and House Appropriations Chairman (Elizaldy) Zaldy Co,” Lacson said in a post on X.
In Filipino: Lacson: Dapat Sinunod ni Romualdez ang Mga Imbitasyon ng Blue Ribbon para Sagutin ang Alegasyon sa Pagkalikot sa 2025 Badyet
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s Opening Statement at the Hearing:
Before we proceed to the substantive discussions, the Committee will deal first with some administrative matters for the record:
All members of the House of Representatives implicated by the Discaya spouses, as well as Cong. Martin Romualdez and Cong. Eric Yap cited by Mr. Orly Guteza, were invited to attend this hearing. Incumbent Congressmen were invited through a letter dated 12 November 2025 to Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy of the House of Representatives.
According to Speaker Dy, the members will not be appearing before the Committee today in order to avoid any possible prejudice to the ongoing investigation and eventual findings of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), given that the invited members have already submitted themselves to its jurisdiction and proceedings.
Mr. Zaldy Co was similarly invited to appear before this Committee—however, his lawyer, Atty. Ruy Alberto Rondain, replied that Mr. Co is unable to attend, citing that he is still overseas due to medical reasons.
Continue reading “Blue Ribbon Committee Hearing on Flood Control Projects (Nov. 14, 2025)”