Senator Panfilo Lacson stated on Wednesday that the Ombudsman’s decision to file plunder and corruption charges against Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva validates the panel’s initial legislative investigation into a massive flood control scam.
The statement follows Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’s announcement that criminal cases are being finalized for submission to the Sandiganbayan. The charges stem from an anomaly previously exposed in a partial report by the Senate’s primary investigative body.
“Ombudsman (Jesus Crispin) Remulla’s announcement that plunder, malversation, and other cases will soon be filed with the Sandiganbayan against the same government officials implicated in the Blue Ribbon Committee’s partial report on the flood control anomaly is a vindication of our findings and recommendations,” Lacson said.
While expressing no satisfaction in seeing fellow lawmakers face severe legal repercussions, Lacson emphasized that the chamber’s inquiry remained impartial and strictly evidence-driven.
“It is not a pleasant thing to see some of our colleagues face charges or jail due to the flood control scandal. But painful as it is, I have always maintained that we will go where the evidence leads us,” he added. “We will not force ourselves to look for evidence that will target certain people, including our colleagues in the Senate.”
Lacson helmed the high-profile inquiry until a leadership shuffle on May 11 unseated him from the panel.
The reorganization saw Alan Peter Cayetano assume the Senate presidency following the unexpected political return of Senator Ronald dela Rosa, while Senator Pia Cayetano took over the Blue Ribbon chairmanship.
Before the leadership transition, the committee’s draft report—which recommended criminal and administrative charges against a cross-section of current and former lawmakers—stalled after failing to secure the required majority signatures for plenary presentation.
Beyond Estrada and Villanueva, the un-acted committee report also implicated Senator Francis Escudero, former Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co, and former Caloocan Representative Mitch Cajayon-Uy.
All accused individuals have consistently maintained their innocence and denied the allegations.