Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano affirmed that the minority bloc fully respects the decision of the Senate majority to reinstate Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson as chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee.
Cayetano assured that the minority will continue to cooperate with Lacson in the interest of transparency and unity.
“As I’ve said, it’s the majority’s choice, and the minority respects that. We will continue to work with Senator Lacson in the spirit of cooperation and transparency — because the stakes for our nation are too high for us not to work together,” he said in a statement on Wednesday, October 22.
He emphasized that what matters most now is clear direction and fair rules within the committee rather than debates over leadership.
“The Blue Ribbon’s power lies in its INTEGRITY— in making sure that both our goals of uncovering the truth, and the means to achieve them, are beyond politics and personal agenda,” Cayetano added.
The senator also highlighted that uncovering corruption masterminds and pursuing genuine reforms should take precedence over using hearings for “political points.”
“The Senate is at its best when it rises above partisanship and stands together for truth and accountability. That’s the standard the Minority aims for, that’s the standard we should all aim for,” he said.
Last Tuesday, October 21, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III announced that Lacson’s reinstatement as Blue Ribbon Committee chair is guaranteed and will be made official when the session resumes on November 10.