Support is growing for the partial committee report of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the flood control issue, with two more senators signing and others signaling their intent to follow suit, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, chairperson of the committee.
Lacson confirmed that Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Erwin Tulfo, the committee’s vice chairman, have affixed their signatures, while at least two other senators have indicated willingness to sign.
“As of yesterday, two other colleagues also signed – Senate President Sotto as ex-officio and Sen. Erwin Tulfo, BRC Vice Chairman. At least two others have indicated their willingness to sign,” Lacson said.
He noted that some majority members have been reluctant to sign, citing “requests” from former majority bloc colleagues.
Lacson emphasized that he would not pressure fellow members to sign, out of respect for their individual decisions, but added that Sotto offered to help encourage support.
“I told SP Sotto earlier that I won’t plead with our fellow BRC members to affix their signatures on the partial committee report because I respect their individual decisions, whatever reasons they have in refusing to sign. Hence, SP Sotto promised to help in that regard,” he said.
At present, at least six senators have signed the partial report. Three more signatures are needed before it can be formally filed and presented in plenary, where it may be debated, amended, and adopted.
On Wednesday, Lacson announced the suspension of further committee hearings on flood control until the report is sponsored in plenary.
He explained that continuing hearings without producing a committee report would be “pointless” and contrary to Senate rules.