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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Lacson: Draft committee report recommends plunder raps against Escudero, Villanueva, Co

Lacson: Draft committee report recommends plunder raps against Escudero, Villanueva, Co

Published Feb 4, 2026 03:23 pm

At A Glance

  • Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said he will stand by the findings of the draft committee report on the flood control anomalies.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (Senate PRIB photo)
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (Senate PRIB photo)

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson confirmed on Wednesday, February 4 that the draft Senate Blue Ribbon Committee report on the investigation into the anomalous government flood control projects recommended the filing of plunder and other criminal charges against senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada and former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co.

In an interview, Lacson said the draft report was routed to senators on February 3. Six (6) senators, namely Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan signed the document. 

But Zubiri, Ejercito and Gatchalian withdrew their signatures from the draft report, citing the need to thoroughly study the final committee report. 

A copy of the draft and partial report, which was previously leaked to the media, showed that aside from plunder, the committee also sought the filing of malversation of public funds, and direct bribery against Co, former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Estrada, Villanueva, Escudero and former Caloocan City Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy.

Lacson, nevertheless, said he is confident of the veracity of the draft committee report, which he said is in line with the real events on the ground because the recommended criminal and administrative charges are currently undergoing preliminary investigation.

“It’s already there, papanindigan ko yan (I will stand by it). The draft committee report was prepared by my staff under the guidance of the general counsel, Atty. Gerard Mosquera, who used to be deputy Ombudsman for Luzon, (he’s) very competent,” Lacson said.

“And while sila yung nagawa kasi lawyers ang gagawa niyan, I will take full responsibility dito sa complaints,” he said.

But the report will remain as draft unless signed by at least 11 members of the panel. 

“Because the membership of the Blue Ribbon is 17 plus, three ex-officio. So that’s 20. So majority means 11 required signatory to make it an official committee report that can be reported out for deliberation,” he said.

Related Tags

Ping Lacson FLOOD CONTROL PROBE Senate probe Blue Ribbon
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