Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has officially stepped down as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Accountability, Public Officers and Investigations, more commonly known as the Blue Ribbon Committee.
In a letter addressed to his longtime ally and friend, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Lacson expressed pride in his committee’s work during his leadership—particularly the investigations into alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
He emphasized that under his watch, the committee carried out its mandate with integrity and fairness.
The veteran lawmaker and former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief also denied accusations that he was targeting fellow senators while allegedly protecting certain members of the House of Representatives, including former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co and former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
“Nothing could be further from the truth. This narrative is categorically false. These misrepresentations are being floated mostly by critics opposed to our efforts to get to the bottom of the flood control anomalies,” Lacson said.
Sotto’s office confirmed that it had already received Lacson’s resignation letter. The Senate President also noted that the chamber is still deliberating on who will succeed Lacson as the new chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee.