Lacson Steps Down! Inside the Shocking Resignation from the Senate’s Most Powerful Committee
LACSON – Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has officially resigned as chairman of the influential Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, a move that caught many by surprise and stirred fresh talks about the chamber’s internal dynamics.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Monday formally received Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s resignation letter from his post as chairman of the powerful Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
Lacson’s resignation came amid mounting criticism from some of his colleagues over the way he handled the ongoing probe into alleged irregularities in flood control projects across the country. The veteran lawmaker earlier expressed his intent to step down, citing his colleagues’ “disappointment” with his leadership in the investigation.
In his letter, Lacson emphasized that “there are no political considerations” behind his decision or his actions as Blue Ribbon Committee chairman. He also dismissed accusations that he was “zeroing in” on certain senators while allegedly sparing members of the House of Representatives from scrutiny.
“Nothing could be further from the truth. This narratives is categorically false. This misrepresentations are being floated mostly by critics opposed to our efforst to get to the bottom of the flood control anomalies,” Lacson wrote.
He further asserted that the committee’s work was guided solely by facts and evidence, saying, “We go where the evidence leads us, not by the noise coming from highly partisan political persuasions.”
Following the resignation, Sotto assured the public that the upper chamber remains united and functioning effectively despite the leadership shake-up.
“The Senate is stable, both the majority and the minority. I am very sure that the Senate is stable. Under my leadership, we will make sure that everything will be transparent and accountable,” Sotto said.
The Senate President also expressed confidence that he still enjoys the trust and support of the majority bloc. “Quite confident. But as usual, any senator who is elected into the leadership only serves at the pleasure of his colleagues, of his peers. So, let us leave it at that. But as far as I am concerned, as far as I know, I am quite confident that we are stable and that the leadership of the Senate is well in place,” he added.
Former Senate President Franklin Drilon earlier commented that the recent developments could signal political instability in the upper chamber.
Lacson assumed the Blue Ribbon chairmanship only last month, following a leadership reorganization amid the Senate’s ongoing investigation into flood control project anomalies.
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