The possibility of losing the support of the majority bloc – even the Senate presidency – was raised amid discussions of Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson’s return as chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee (BRC).
When Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III broached the idea of giving back the committee chairmanship to him, Lacson said he told him that they 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.’
‘In retrospect, a simple, practical question crossed my mind when I decided to resign last October 6: What BRC chairmanship are we talking about if we lose the majority to the current Cayetano-led minority bloc?’ Lacson said in a message to reporters.
He was referring to Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who currently heads the 9-man minority group in the Senate.
‘Having said all that, if I decide to get back the BRC chairmanship, that question will no longer be a factor,’ Lacson added.
Lacson himself disclosed the ‘disappointment’ of ‘a number’ of his colleagues with the direction of the blue ribbon panel, which he previously headed.
His resignation prompted the suspension of the panel’s investigation into the flood control projects scandal allegedly involving some lawmakers, government officials, and private contractors.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo, vice chairman of the blue ribbon panel, was later named its acting chairman.
Sotto, meanwhile, expressed readiness to lose the Senate presidency if that is the price of bringing Lacson back as BRC head.
‘I’m confident that the people will be supportive of any move we will take to curb corruption in government, and whatever it takes! So, our posts in the Senate are subject to the support of our peers,’ he said. in a separate message.
When asked if he is not afraid of losing the Senate presidency as a result of Lacson’s possible return, Sotto answered: ‘Fear is a word I have already disregarded a long time ago.’
Though Lacson has yet to finalize his decision, the Senate chief noted in an earlier interview that most of his colleagues want Lacson back as the panel head.
‘We’ll discuss it in a meeting. It’s okay with Erwin,’ he added when asked how his conversation with Lacson ended.