Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson admitted on Monday, Oct. 20, that retaking the chairmanship of the powerful Senate Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) could come with serious political repercussions, including turning away members of the majority bloc and, thereby, threatening the current Senate leadership.

Lacson revealed that he had discussed the matter with Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III when the latter raised the idea of reinstating him as BRC chair. He said both of them should be prepared since his actions could provoke divisions within the majority.

“I told SP Sotto that if I am elected again to head the committee, we should be ready for any and all consequences of my actions and decisions — including losing some members of the majority bloc and, consequently, his Senate presidency,” Lacson said.

Lacson also reflected on his resignation last Oct. 6.

“A simple, practical question crossed my mind when I decided to resign: What BRC chairmanship are we talking about if we lose the majority to the current Cayetano-led minority bloc?” he said.

While he has not confirmed his return to the position, Lacson emphasized that if he does, he will do so while fully aware of the political costs.

Senator Erwin Tulfo currently sits as the panel's acting chairman.

“If I decide to get back the BRC chairmanship, that question will no longer be a factor,” he said.

Sotto said over the weekend that Lacson's return as the panel chairman was still possible, and that most of his colleagues in the majority wanted him to come back.

Lacson earlier resigned as the panel's chairperson, due to the supposed disapproval of some of his colleagues in the conduct of the BRC investigation into the anomalous flood control projects.