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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sotto names 5 senators as possible choices for new blue ribbon panel chair

Sotto names 5 senators as possible choices for new blue ribbon panel chair

Published Oct 7, 2025 11:28 am

At A Glance

  • Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III named five possible successors to Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson as Blue Ribbon Committee chair after his resignation, saying Lacson's recommendation would carry strong weight and clarifying that Lacson merely followed evidence in his investigations without targeting any lawmakers.
Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III revealed on Tuesday, Oct. 7, the names of five senators who can possibly take the helm of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee after the resignation of Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping Lacson.
(Photos from Facebook, Senate PRIB)
(Photos from Facebook, Senate PRIB)
In a television interview on Unang Balita, Sotto said that Senators Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito, Raffy Tulfo, Pia Cayetano, Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, and Risa Hontiveros are being considered for the role.
"Ang pinag uusapan namin dito yung mga puwedeng pumalit sa kanya. Para sa akin ano, sino ang rekomendasyon ni Sen. Lacson would have a very strong edge over anybody else (What we’re talking about here are the possible people who could replace him. For me, whoever Senator Lacson recommends would have a very strong edge over anybody else)," Sotto said.
He added that a caucus is scheduled on Wednesday, Oct. 8, to discuss the matter.
Sotto said that he's been convincing Lacson prior to his resignation, but after his submission on Monday, he stated that they can no longer talk him into reconsidering his decision.
"Yung imbestigasyon kasi, dahil may mga na-implicate na mga legislator may senador, may congressman eh parang ang direksyon na binibintang ng iba ay bakit papunta sa senador ang target niya (The investigation, since some legislators — senators and congressmen — have been implicated, seems to be heading in a direction where some people are questioning why the senator appears to be the target)," he explained.
"Ang ginagawa lang naman ni Sen. Lacson eh sabi nga niya he follows the lead of the evidence. Yun ang sinusundan niya, yung wala siyang target na senador or congressman. Nothing to that effect (What Senator Lacson is doing, as he said, is simply following where the evidence leads. That’s what he’s pursuing — he has no specific senator or congressman as a target. Nothing to that effect)," Sotto added.
On the other hand, Sotto said that Lacson would fare better as a critic than as chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
In formally tendering his resignation, Lacson cited the disapproval of some of his colleagues in the panel’s ongoing investigation into the anomalous flood control projects as the reason for his resignation.

Related Tags

Tito Sotto ping lacson Senate Blue Ribbon Senate Blue Ribbon Committee flood control probe
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