Tag: Senate Blue Ribbon Committee

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Lacson to Present Flood Control Progress Report in Privilege Speech

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is set to present the panel’s Chairman’s Progress Report on the flood control scandal in a privilege speech when the Senate resumes session in May.

Lacson said this will pave the way for the resumption of hearings on the flood control mess, as the partial committee report has yet to secure the needed signatures for filing and sponsorship in plenary.

“I will present it via a privilege speech entitled ‘The Chairman’s FCP Progress Report.’ At least kung privilege speech, since ayaw magpirma ng ibang members, I don’t have to consult them (Other committee members do not seem keen on signing the partial report. If I present it via a privilege speech, I would not need to consult them),” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson, Maghahain ng Flood Control Progress Report sa Privilege Speech

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Lacson Readies Blue Ribbon Chairman’s Progress Report, Eyes ‘Faceoff’ with Former Speaker, Zaldy Co, Ex-Soldiers

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is preparing a Chairman’s Progress Report on the flood control scandal to pave the way for the resumption of hearings and to aid case-buildup by the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman.

Lacson also said he is keen on inviting anew former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez to the committee’s next hearing – and having him join a faceoff with captured former Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co and former soldiers who claimed to have delivered kickbacks to various personalities on Co’s orders.

“We have drafted a Chairman’s Progress Report. I cannot report out the partial committee report on the Senate floor due to the lack of needed signatures. So to get it over with, I have thought of drafting the Chairman’s Progress Report, which has a precedent,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio Sunday.

“We owe it to the Filipino people. The Blue Ribbon Committee has conducted eight hearings on the matter but has yet to come up with even a partial report,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Inihahanda ang Blue Ribbon Chairman’s Progress Report, Balak ang ‘Faceoff’ kina Dating Speaker Romualdez, Zaldy Co, at mga Dating Sundalo

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Lacson: Romualdez Should Have Heeded Blue Ribbon Invitations to Refute Budget ‘Mangling’ Allegations

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

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Lacson: Signing of BRC Partial Report Should be Guided by Sense of Duty, Not Pakikisama

The signing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s partial report on the flood control mess should be guided by a sense of duty and not “pakikisama” or peer pressure, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson emphasized Saturday.

Lacson said senators must be swayed not by political affiliations or bloc lines but by their responsibilities as members of the Blue Ribbon committee when deciding whether to sign the partial report.

“For me, it doesn’t matter if you are in the majority or minority bloc, so long as you follow what is right. Otherwise, you will be blind if you claim that you won’t sign something from the majority because you are from the minority,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DWIZ radio.

“If you are a senator, you must have your own convictions, not follow the convictions of your colleagues,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Tungkulin, Hindi Pakikisama, ang Gabay sa Paglagda sa BRC Partial Flood Control Report

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Lacson: Zaldy Co’s Potential BRC Appearance Could Boost Support for Partial Report

The possible appearance of arrested ex-Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee could prompt more senators to sign the panel’s partial report, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said late Friday.

Lacson said the decision now rests with the committee members, especially those who have been calling for the hearings to resume and for Co to be questioned.

“Co’s arrest is a good development because now it’s up to them to ensure that the hearings resume. It’s on them – do they want the hearings to continue and for Co to be grilled? The burden is now on them to sign the partial report,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on Storycon on One News.

In Filipino: Lacson: Posibleng Pagharap ni Zaldy Co sa BRC, Maaaring Magpalakas ng Suporta sa Partial Report

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