Senator Erwin Tulfo has expressed his full support for the possible return of Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Accountability, Public Officers and Investigations, commonly known as the Blue Ribbon Committee, which is currently conducting inquiries into alleged irregularities in the country’s flood control projects.
In an interview, Tulfo revealed that Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III had already informed him about Lacson’s desire to reassume leadership of the committee.
“Tinanong ho ako ni Senate President Sotto. Sabi niyang ganoon, gustong bumalik ni Ping, at may mga tatapusin. Sabi ko naman sa kanya, boss, sabi ko, kaya ko naman tinanggap ay dahil mag-a-acting lang ako habang wala pa kayong napili,” Tulfo said.
The first-term senator clarified that he only accepted the post in a temporary capacity, pending the selection of a permanent chair.
“Hahawakan ko lang ito temporarily as acting chair. ‘Yun na nga, sabi niya, si Sen. Ping, nagpahayag na gusto niyang bumalik. Sabi ko, walang problema at susuportahan ko,” he added.
Tulfo currently serves as acting chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee, taking over after Lacson’s earlier resignation from the position.
Aside from Tulfo, several senators in the majority bloc, including Win Gatchalian and Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, have expressed their backing for Lacson’s reinstatement.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said the minority bloc would respect whatever decision the majority reaches regarding the committee’s leadership.