Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson confirms the leakage of a partial draft of the report of the Blue Ribbon Committee

In a radio interview, Lacson said that even if he confirmed the names of lawmakers recommended to be charged with corruption, the report still requires scrutiny.

"When it was presented to me, I said that all pieces of evidence must be compatible," he said in Filipino.

The report recommends filing criminal charges against Senators Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada, and Francis “Chiz” Escudero — all members of the minority — as well as former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla and former representatives Zaldy Co and Mitch Cajayon-Uy.

Lacson told reporters that the draft report was routed to senators on 3 February and was actually signed by six lawmakers: Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, JV Ejercito, Win Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, and Kiko Pangilinan.

"The signing process has paused because some of us might still want to at least review the dispositive portion, which I respected. We are not denying that a draft does exist. The majority bloc members provided suggestions, and I accepted their input," he said in Filipino.

Lacson also admitted that the soon-to-be-released report on flood control corruption could affect the Senate presidency of Vicente Sotto III.

He clarified that the chairman is not the same as the committee, as he is only the one who presides.

"Regarding the three senators, my recommendation has effectively become moot and academic, since they are already undergoing the process, and we are recommending that they continue with the preliminary investigation," he said in Filipino.

Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said that if other committee members have not even read or seen the report, it cannot be made public.