Frustrated by a stalemate in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson announced on Monday, April 27, that he will bypass formal delays by delivering his findings through a privilege speech.
The report, which probes alleged irregularities in national flood control projects, has remained in limbo after failing to secure three of the nine signatures required for plenary sponsorship.
Lacson intends to deliver the address, titled “The Chairman’s FCP Progress Report,” when regular sessions resume on May 4.
By utilizing a privilege speech, the senator can effectively place the investigation’s evidence into the public record without needing the consensus of his colleagues on the committee.
“I will present it via a privilege speech entitled ‘The Chairman’s FCP Progress Report.’ At least kung privilege speech, since ayaw magpirma ng ibang members, I don’t have to consult them,” Lacson explained.
The senator emphasized that the move is a strategic necessity to ensure the gathered evidence leads to accountability.
Once the speech is delivered and becomes part of the official Senate record, the findings and recommendations can be formally transmitted to the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice for potential prosecution.
“I’ll be able to share the report and our recommendations with the Ombudsman since magiging public record na yan after I have presented it by way of a privilege speech. Sayang kasi – para mapakinabangan ang evidence kesa mapanis lang,” he added.
Addressing concerns raised by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Rodante Marcoleta regarding the involvement of former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Lacson clarified that the committee had reached out multiple times. He noted that invitations were sent to Romualdez on November 14, 2025, and January 19, 2026, though the former Speaker did not attend.
Lacson further defended the process by citing the traditional protocol of inter-parliamentary courtesy, which dictates that invitations to members of the House of Representatives are coordinated through the Office of the Speaker.
“Mula pa nung unang nagbukas ang Philippine Congress under a bicameral system, umiiral na ang inter-parliamentary courtesy between the two chambers,” Lacson said.
The upcoming speech is expected to reignite the high-profile investigation and put pressure on the chamber to address the alleged “flood control mess” despite the internal lack of signatures.