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Neil Jayson Servallos - The Philippine Star
May 6, 2026 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson yesterday delivered the Blue Ribbon Chairman’s Progress Report at the Senate plenary, breaking a legislative deadlock that clears the way for the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Ombudsman to use the committee’s initial findings against flood control personalities.
In a nearly one-hour speech, Lacson reiterated the committee’s findings contained in the leaked partial report of the Blue Ribbon committee, where it recommended charges against Senators Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, as well as former speaker Martin Romualdez and former congressman Zaldy Co and more than a dozen government officials.
The formal delivery of the chairman’s progress report puts the committee’s discoveries on the official record, effectively bypassing previous gridlocks among senators that kept the prosecutorial bodies waiting.
As of yesterday, only Lacson, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan, Bam Aquino and brothers Erwin and Raffy Tulfo have signed the partial report. Lacson bared in an interview yesterday that Raffy was the latest one to sign the report.
With Raffy, the committee only needs two more signatures to be able to present the report to the plenary for amendments.
The move was met with immediate resistance on the floor when Sen. Rodante Marcoleta sought to interpellate, but Lacson refused to yield the floor, strategically delaying any debates until the main partial committee report is ready.
“In the interest of orderly and more comprehensive discussions and productive deliberations and to avoid redundant and repetitive clarificatory questions that may be posited by our colleagues, I reserve my right to address any and all interpellations after my sponsorship of the still pending partial committee report,” Lacson said.
While he delivered the report as a privilege speech, he still requires two more signatures from senators before the partial committee report can be debated and acted upon in the plenary.
“Just two more… two or three more and the partial committee report can be filed at the Bills and Index Division of the Senate. Until then, I am not yet yielding the floor,” he continued in Filipino.
Allocables are next
Outlining the next phase of the Blue Ribbon probe, Lacson announced that the committee will dive deeper into the controversial issues of “allocables” and “leadership funds.”
He noted that the committee will analyze letters from lawmakers to establish a paper trail linking them to the anomalous infrastructure projects.
The committee will also invite Romualdez to explain his side regarding the allegations.
Further, the panel is bracing for the potential return of embattled businessman and former lawmaker Zaldy Co.
“If and when Zaldy Co is returned to the Philippines, we are prepared to bring him, together with his former staff, including former members of the military,” Lacson declared.
“This step will ensure that the committee’s findings remain fair, balanced and firmly grounded on facts and evidence,” he added.
Asked about Lacson’s privilege speech, Estrada said he had no ill feelings towards Lacson for naming him in the report and recommending charges, saying he was open to the continuation of the flood control hearings.
For his part, Villanueva said he was eager to defend himself when the time comes that charges are filed against him.
Malversation trial begins
Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan has officially started the trial of the malversation case against former senator Ramon Revilla Jr. and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) over the alleged P92.8-million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
The prosecution has presented its first witnesses, one of whom is Jayson Cruz, a records custodian of the DPWH, before the anti-graft court’s Third Division.
Cruz testified he received the official record book of the DPWH 1st Bulacan DEO.
The prosecution has requested the cancellation of hearings on May 12 and 13 to allow them to participate in the week-long celebration of the anniversary of the Office of the Ombudsman next week, which the court granted.
The next hearings are set on May 19 and 20. — Daphne Galvez
