Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said he does not support any move to remove the names of Senators Chiz Escudero, Joel Villanueva, and Jinggoy Estrada from the draft report of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the alleged flood control fund scandal.
Asked about reported efforts to exclude the three lawmakers from the panel’s recommended charges, Sotto rejected the claim and underscored the independence of the committee chaired by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.
“Wala naman. Wala naman ganun. Hindi mo naman puwedeng sabihin kay Sen. (Ping) Lacson ’yun,” Sotto said.
The draft report proposes the filing of criminal and administrative cases, including plunder, against several individuals, among them the three senators.
Lacson has earlier maintained that the findings are consistent with actions already being pursued by investigative and prosecutorial bodies.
Sotto clarified that his main concern lies in crafting legislative reforms rather than singling out individuals for prosecution.
“Importante sa akin doon ’yung legislation. Hindi ’yung dapat kasuhan si ganito, si ganyan,” he said.
He added that he has yet to read the full report, noting that only three to four committee members have seen it so far, but expects it to be finalized once the Senate resumes session.