MANILA – The Senate majority bloc has designated Senator Erwin Tulfo as the acting chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee following the resignation of Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III announced on Wednesday.

Sotto said the designation was agreed upon during a caucus of majority senators.

“The majority decided that we make the vice chairman the acting chairman – Senator Erwin Tulfo. So, I called him and he accepted the post,” Sotto told reporters.

He clarified that no plenary confirmation was needed, as the committee’s vice chair automatically assumes the role in the absence of the chairperson.

“You don’t need to do that in the plenary because Erwin is the vice chairman. Therefore, in the absence of the chairman, he automatically becomes the acting chairman,” he said.

Sotto added that Tulfo will serve in an acting capacity until the majority bloc decides on a permanent replacement.

“We’re not discounting any of the five names that were mentioned. We’re still thinking, and some of them, I think, would want to appeal to Senator Lacson,” he noted.

The Senate President also assured that the Blue Ribbon Committee’s ongoing inquiries, including the flood control project investigation, will continue despite the leadership transition.

“Tuloy ’yon. The Blue Ribbon is always alive. That’s the only committee na may motu proprio power,” Sotto said.

He emphasized that Senate operations continue even during session breaks, with committees—particularly the Committee on Finance—holding hearings almost daily.

Tulfo, in a statement, thanked his colleagues for their trust and vowed to uphold the committee’s mandate of ensuring government accountability.

“Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa tiwala ni Senate President Tito Sotto at ng mga kasama natin sa Senado na maging acting chairman tayo ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee,” Tulfo said.

“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 added.

Tulfo said he looked forward to the appointment of a permanent chairperson soon to ensure continuity and stability in the committee’s work.