Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson has temporarily suspended all proceedings of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects, announcing that hearings will only resume after he presents a partial report before the plenary.
Lacson, who chairs the committee, earlier deferred the April 14 hearing while awaiting key documents, including a sworn affidavit from former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson, as well as additional support from fellow senators to strengthen the panel’s findings.
So far, only Lacson and Senators Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan, and Bam Aquino have signed the initial draft of the report.
The document calls for a preliminary investigation into several personalities allegedly linked to the controversy, including former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez, along with Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Joel Villanueva, and Chiz Escudero.
Despite limited backing from other lawmakers, Lacson dismissed concerns over the lack of additional signatories, particularly from the minority bloc.
“They can offer all kinds of reasons all they want, wise or otherwise, not to fulfill their duties as members. It’s on them, not on the chairman,” he said in a message to reporters.
He later confirmed that committee hearings would remain suspended until the partial report is formally submitted and sponsored on the Senate floor.
“That said, I am suspending all hearings until I have reported out to sponsor in plenary the partial committee report at the very least,” Lacson stated.
The veteran senator expressed confidence that he would eventually secure the minimum nine signatures required to approve the committee report, signaling his determination to push the investigation forward despite current challenges.