It’s official: Lacson back as Senate Blue Ribbon panel chair

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson was reelected as chairperson of the powerful Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations, also known as the Blue Ribbon Committee.

During a plenary session on Tuesday, Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito moved to reinstate Lacson as committee chairperson.

No senators have objected.  

Lacson had resigned last month after some colleagues criticized the direction of the committee’s investigation into the flood control program. 

Previously, Senate President Vicente Sotto III expressed confidence that Lacson’s return to the Blue Ribbon Committee would not undermine his leadership of the chamber.

“Probably not, because our colleagues already know that she is also the one they want… And if ever there is, no problem with that. I always serve at the pleasure of my peers. It’s actually easier if you’re just a senator than if you’re the official,” Sotto said in mixed Filipino.

The committee is set to resume hearings on Friday, 15 November. 

Asked earlier whether the ongoing investigations could be seen as an attack on the Senate, Sotto replied, “You can take it whatever way you want. That’s how it goes. There’s always someone who will think good or bad. You can’t take that away from them. I don’t look at it. I concentrate on my work as Senate President.”

Sotto also dismissed concerns that recent developments could demoralize the chamber, emphasizing that all legal matters will follow due process. He reiterated that passing a “clean” 2026 national budget remains the Senate’s top priority.

“What’s important right now, and I always say this, the single most important piece of legislation that we must pass is the budget. We need to pass a 2026 clean budget under my watch as far as the Senate is concerned; that is my primary objective now,” he said.