Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Wednesday, October 22, denied speculations that Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s resignation as chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee was part of a political move to protect his leadership in the upper chamber.
Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum, Sotto confirmed there is a “100% possibility” that Lacson will once again head the powerful committee.
“No, he did not. That was the idea of some people, sabi nila King’s Gambit nga, nangingiti na lang kami ni Ping. It could be an idea pero as far as he was concerned, during that time he was frustrated, that was the word,” Sotto explained.
He added that Lacson eventually realized the importance of continuing his work at the committee.
“But then again, later on, in the course of our talks with other people, he realized that it was still necessary. It’s important for him to listen to the voices of our colleagues and to the voice of the public,” he said.
In a separate interview, Sotto said he believes Lacson still has “unfinished business” at the Blue Ribbon Committee and that a possible hearing could take place in November or earlier, depending on Lacson’s final decision.
“We’ll probably do it in a caucus, but by Nov. 10 we can make it official,” he stated.
Sotto shared that the discussions about Lacson’s possible return had been ongoing, adding that he, too, sensed the same public and Senate clamor for Lacson’s leadership in the committee.
“Before that, nag-uusapan na rin namin yan sapagkat nararamdaman ko rin na may unfinished business doon. Yung clamor ng ibang mga kasamahan namin at ng publiko na naririnig ko. Apparently, nakakarating sa kaniya,” he said.
Asked whether Lacson’s resignation threatened his position as Senate President, Sotto said he never felt his leadership was in danger, citing his confidence in the integrity of his colleagues.
“Merong ganung mga salita, pero nanaig pa rin ako tingin ko sa side na ‘hindi, straight thinkers sila e’ — straight thinkers yung mga colleagues ko,” Sotto said.