Senator Erwin Tulfo will automatically assume the role of Chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee should no member of the majority bloc volunteer to take over the position vacated by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III confirmed on Wednesday, October 8.
Tulfo currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the powerful Senate Committee on Accountability, Public Officers and Investigations, which is leading the probe into the alleged anomalous flood control projects.
“The majority decided that we make the vice chairman the acting chairman – Senator Erwin Tulfo. So, I called him and he accepted the post,” Sotto told reporters in an ambush interview.
He added that no plenary action is required for the transition: “You don’t need to do that in the plenary because Erwin is the vice chairman. Therefore, in the absence of the chairman, he automatically becomes the acting chairman.”
Among the other senators being considered to replace Lacson are Deputy Majority Leaders JV Ejercito and Risa Hontiveros, Senators Raffy Tulfo, Pia Cayetano, and Kiko Pangilinan.
Sotto described Erwin Tulfo as a “good choice” for the Blue Ribbon chairmanship, citing his background in investigative journalism and his courage as a first-term lawmaker: “He has the capability and experience to lead, and he’s brave enough to take on the challenge,” Sotto said.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano expressed dissatisfaction with how the Blue Ribbon probe into the flood control controversy has been handled so far.
Cayetano insisted that the investigation must continue but emphasized that it should remain non-partisan and independent.