By Lan Afable, News Editor
The public deserves facts – not false narratives – on the flood control issue.
Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed this Friday as he finalized his move to bring the panel’s accomplishments so far to the plenary, amid questions raised by some lawmakers over the focus on partial findings.
Lacson said that while all members of the Blue Ribbon panel – both ex-officio and regular – are entitled to their opinions, he is determined to elevate the matter to the plenary, to keep the public informed and to counter misinformation.
“I am decided to bring up in plenary the contents and more of what we have accomplished so far after seven or eight committee hearings. There is an underlying reason for my decision – the Filipino people not only deserve to be updated but more so properly and accurately informed amid the false narratives being floated by some critics that we are being selective in going after the culprits in the flood control mess,” he said.
Earlier this week, Senate minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano questioned the attention given to the partial committee report, saying there should be greater focus on establishing “the whole and bigger picture.”
Cayetano also said some senators already reviewed the partial report but do not agree with some portions, thus the need for continued deliberation.
Lacson maintained that signing the report does not necessarily signify full agreement, but allows it to be presented in plenary where it can be debated upon, amended and eventually adopted.
With the partial report still lacking the needed signatures for filing and sponsorship, Lacson is set to present a Chairman’s Progress Report containing the substance of the partial report, in a privilege speech.
Also, Lacson reiterated that while he disagrees with committee members who do not want to sign the partial report, he respects and understands their individual decisions.
“While I disagree with those who do not want to sign, let me be clear that I respect and understand their individual decisions whatever their reasons are, including that of the minority leader,” he said.
Lacson also pointed out that the Blue Ribbon hearings exposed important evidence that led to case buildups against some personalities – after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. triggered and even motivated him and his team to follow through on his “Mahiya naman kayo” message in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last year.
“It must be recalled that it was President Marcos who triggered, even motivated me and my team to follow through on his ‘Mahiya naman kayo..’ SONA message last year and I sincerely believe that the BRC hearings triggered and exposed many vital pieces of evidence that resulted in the indictments and preliminary investigations currently being undertaken by the Sandiganbayan, the Ombudsman, Department of Justice, Anti-Money Laundering Council, to name some,” he said.
