Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Sunday, October 5 said he is considering stepping down from his position as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

Lacson said this would appease “those who are causing trouble” and creating a perception that his handling of the Senate’s investigation into the flood control mess is not good.

“If I were asked, of course I would say that my handling (of the investigation) is good, but then there are those who are causing trouble. There is a perception that my handling is not good. But I serve at the pleasure of my peers, if the majority of them do not trust me, I am not so numb that I do not feel it, and if the reason is because the name of some of my colleagues are being mentioned, and if they think I am targeting my colleagues, and that I’m avoiding the architects (Representatives) Zaldy Co and Romualdez, I am telling you that that is a false narrative,” Lacson said in Filipino in an interview on Radio DZBB.

“But if that is how my colleagues think, who am I to insist on being the chair?” the Senate blue ribbon panel chairman pointed out.

Lacson said he is already crafting a letter expressing his intention to give up the blue ribbon panel, which he needs to read and manifest on the plenary floor.

“Because of the suggestion from my friends, I'm not that insensitive. If in their opinion, someone else can handle it, I'll leave it to them,” he added.

Among those who have expressed negative sentiments, he said, were Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito and Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.

“I’m not serving as chair of the blue ribbon committee at the pleasure of the president of the Philippines, at the pleasure of netizens, at the pleasure of bashers, not even at the pleasure of the public. I serve at the pleasure of my peers,” Lacson explained.

According to Lacson, one of the considerations is to move on or submit a resignation as chairman of the blue ribbon panel.

“Then they can just look for whoever can take over my place,” he said.

Earlier, Lacson scheduled the next flood control probe on Wednesday, October 8, upon the request of Ejercito who asked that the panel summon Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Mimaropa regional director Gerald Pacanan, who was included among the 10 officials who received a show cause order from Secretary Vince Dizon over their lavish lifestyle and involvement in substandard infrastructure projects.

In order to maximize the discussions, Lacson said he checked with the Department of Justice (DOJ) if the supposed “tell all” affidavits of the Discaya couple were already available and also checked with the office of the executive judge of the Manil Regional Trial Court if they have already concluded the investigation on the possible violations of the notarized document involving TSgt. Orly Guteza and Atty. Rose Espera.

“Both had a same response that it’s not yet available. Espera's specimen signature is still being sent to the NBI. The couple doesn't know yet whether to tell all. Moreover, Senate President called, we have some colleagues who are not in Metro Manila. And Sen. Win asked that we prioritize the national budget.

“So there’s also conflict with the CA (Commission on Appointments), so I informed Senate President (Vicente) Sotto of the cancellation until further notice,” Lacson said.