The powerful Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will no longer accept a virtual testimony from former Ako-Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co regarding the panel’s investigation into anomalous flood control projects, said its chairperson, Senate President Pro-Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Thursday. 

Lacson explained that allowing Co to participate virtually could provide him a platform to make statements "with little or no probative value or worse, use the opportunity for propaganda," without the risk of being cited for contempt.

“I didn’t push through with the initial plan to invite him (Co) via Zoom. On second thought, the hearing might afford him a platform to say anything he wants, even with no probative value and worse for propaganda purposes only, without any accountability for at least a possible contempt citation,” he said.

Co’s camp had previously informed the committee that the former lawmaker is currently in the United States, undergoing medical treatment, making him unable to attend Friday’s hearing.

“Co’s lawyer informed the committee that Co is in the U.S. receiving medication and requested to be excused from tomorrow’s hearing,” Lacson said. 

Lacson is focusing on recovering his voice in time for the Senate’s deliberations on the 2026 budget bill starting Thursday, as well as the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Friday, 14 November.

He lost his voice Tuesday night. 

The panel chairperson, meanwhile, dismissed the “innuendoes” and predictions made by Sen. Ma. Imelda Josefa Remedios “Imee” Marcos regarding Friday’s hearing.

“More than Sen Imee’s crystal ball, my bigger concern is how to recover my normal voice in time for tomorrow’s BRC hearing or this afternoon’s budget plenary debates, which I have intended to interpellate. I’ve lost my voice since yesterday after drinking ice-cold water with a sore throat last Tuesday night,” he said.

The Senate will begin deliberations on the proposed 2026 budget Thursday afternoon, with Lacson—known for his vigilant oversight—expected to participate actively.

Lacson regained his post as the chairperson of the powerful Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations during a plenary session on Tuesday after Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito moved to reinstate him, with no senators having objected.  

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

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