Flood control probe progress to be presented in May – Lacson
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is set to present in May a progress report on the Senate blue ribbon panel’s flood control probe.
The Senate session will resume on May 4 after a break that started on March 20.
“I will present it via a privilege speech entitled ‘The Chairman’s FCP Progress Report. 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,” Lacson, who heads the blue ribbon panel said in a statement on Monday.
READ: Lacson: Flood control probe suspended until partial report reaches plenary
It must be noted that the partial report of the panel, separate from Lacson’s progress report, has yet to be filed and sponsored in plenary as it still lacks three signatures from committee members.
The committee report requires a majority of the members’ signatures, meaning nine signatures are needed for the document to be filed.
Of the 17-member committee, only six have signed as of writing. Apart from Lacson himself, the signatories include Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Blue Ribbon Vice Chairman Erwin Tulfo, Sens. Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan, and Risa Hontiveros.
Lacson emphasized that the progress report, which includes the contents of the partial report, may at least be shared with the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice.
READ: Lacson: Senator urged colleague not to sign flood control report
“I’ll be able to share the report and recommendations with the Ombudsman since it would become a public record after I present it as a privilege speech. It would be a waste if the evidence in the progress report could not be used because it did not get enough signatures,” Lacson said.
Previously, Lacson said the blue ribbon committee could not proceed with its hearings on the flood control scandal until the report reached the plenary.
The Senate panel began probing into the alleged flood control anomalies on August 19, 2025. /mcm
