Lacson: 11 signatures needed to approve blue ribbon ‘flood mess’ report
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson confirmed on Wednesday the existence of a draft report of the blue ribbon committee recommending the filing of plunder and other criminal charges against incumbent Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada; former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.; and resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co over anomalous flood control projects.
Lacson, who chairs the panel, told reporters that the draft report was routed to senators on Feb. 3 and was signed by six lawmakers, namely Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, JV Ejercito, Win Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan.
“There is and it was being routed yesterday, but the other senators wanted to review it first,” said Lacson when asked if there really was a draft committee report being circulated among senators.
Lacson said he would abide by the committee recommendation to file criminal charges against the officials named in the report.
Asked what would happen should some of his peers ask that this be removed from the recommendations, Lacson said he would no longer sponsor the report.
According to Lacson, the committee report needed at least 11 signatures for it to become official.
A copy of the draft and partial report, which was leaked and surfaced on social media on Tuesday afternoon, showed that aside from plunder, the committee sought the filing of malversation and direct bribery charges against Co, Estrada, Villanueva, Escudero, Revilla, and former Caloocan Rep. Mary Mitzi “Mitch” Cajayon-Uy.
Accomplices
It also wanted them investigated and charged “together with their respective private-sector conspirators from contracting firms who allegedly delivered bribes, gifts or presents.”
Lacson on Wednesday repeatedly clarified that the report remained unofficial and still subject to changes upon discussion with his colleagues.
“We need the signature of the majority of the members [of the blue ribbon panel] to make it a draft official committee report. In the absence of 11 signatories, there is no committee report,” Lacson stressed.
On Tuesday night, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said in a text message to reporters that three senators—Zubiri, Ejercito and Gatchalian—had withdrawn their signatures from the draft earlier presented to them.
In a letter addressed to Lacson, Zubiri, Gatchalian and Ejercito said they wished to be given more time to study the final report.
