Sen. Erwin Tulfo will serve as the acting chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Senate President Tito Sotto said.
While Tulfo was not among the five named senators considered to succeed Sen. Ping Lacson, Sotto said on Wednesday, October 8, that the rules automatically allow Tulfo to serve as acting chair.
“Erwin is the vice chairman. Therefore, in the absence of the chairman, he automatically becomes chairman,” Sotto said in an ambush interview, adding that appointing him in the meantime does not require a plenary decision.
The first-time senator was assigned vice chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee, a panel responsible for investigating government officials and agencies for alleged wrongdoings.
In a statement, Tulfo thanked Sotto and the rest of the Senate for their trust in him and expressed hope that a permanent chair would be appointed soon. He also recognized how the committee investigation is a matter of public interest.
“Batid ko po na maraming kababayan natin ang umaasa sa komiteng ito na imbestigahan ang lahat ng mga nagsamantala sa pera ng bayan ano pa man ang katungkulan nila sa pamahalaan o kulay ng politika,” he said.
(I am aware that many of our countrymen are counting on this committee to investigate all those who took advantage of public funds, regardless of their position in government or political affiliation.)
During Lacson’s short stint as chair, several past and dismissed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials have come forward to admit facilitating the kickback scheme allegedly involving lawmakers in flood control projects.
He announced his resignation over the weekend after some senators of the majority bloc complained about how the investigation was led.
This, however, was cleared up and threshed out in a majority caucus held on October 1, according to Sen. Kiko Pangilinan.
Sen. JV Ejercito also confirmed not harboring any untoward feelings against Lacson, despite being one of those who expressed frustration.
Sotto said that if the members of the majority bloc were complete in the caucus they held on Wednesday, they would have appealed to Lacson to keep the chairmanship.
“We are not discounting any of the five na pwede namin makausap na pwede maging chairman ng Blue Ribbon. As a matter of fact, most of us, kung present lahat, they would like to appeal to Senator Lacson,” Sotto said.
(We are not ruling out any of the five who we may talk to and who could become chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee.)
However, Lacson said stepping down was his “final answer.”
The senators being considered for the post include Risa Hontiveros, Pia Cayetano, Raffy Tulfo, JV Ejercito and Kiko Pangilinan.
Raffy, Erwin’s brother, and Ejercito have declined the chairmanship position. Pangilinan as well.
Sotto also said that “at the moment” the five senators do not want to assume chairmanship of the Blue Ribbon committee, primarily because they already hold two to three major committees.
“So what they’re saying is that they don’t have time for it right now,” he added.
The Blue Ribbon hearings have been suspended “until further notice” since Lacson announced his resignation. Sotto said hearings will resume once Erwin “comes back.”
He explained that the reason for such a congressional break is so that “committee hearings continue.”
“The Blue Ribbon is always alive eh. That’s the only committee with motu propio powers eh,” he said.
Asked if Erwin would be the permanent chairman, Sotto said it should be decided upon in the plenary and by the acting chairman himself.