The current Senate leadership could face significant changes if Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is reinstated as chairman of the Senate Committee on Accountability, Public Officers and Investigations, more commonly known as the Blue Ribbon Committee.
In a text message to the media on Monday, October 20, Lacson revealed that he had already discussed this possibility with Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, warning that his reinstatement could have political repercussions.
“I have actually discussed this scenario with SP Sotto … That if I am elected again to head the committee, we should be ready for any and all consequences of my actions and decisions,” Lacson said.
The senator cautioned that his potential reappointment might lead to a loss of members in the majority bloc, which could, in turn, threaten Sotto’s leadership in the chamber.
“Including losing some members of the majority bloc and consequently, his Senate presidency,” he added.
Over the weekend, Sotto acknowledged the possibility of Lacson’s return as Blue Ribbon chair, though he clarified that no final decision has been made.
“Ang sinasabi ko lang is may posibilidad,” Sotto said in a previous interview. “In other words, ‘di ko pwedeng sabihing imposible na.”
Lacson previously resigned from his post as Blue Ribbon Committee chair after some senators reportedly disagreed with his approach to probing alleged irregularities in flood control projects—an issue currently under national scrutiny.
Despite calls from some of his colleagues to reconsider his resignation, Lacson declined to return, emphasizing that he would remain a constructive critic within the Senate.
Sotto, for his part, maintained that Lacson’s role as a vocal reformist and critic remains valuable, whether or not he leads the Blue Ribbon Committee once more.