MANILA — Public anger over corruption linked to anomalous flood control projects must continue, but never at the expense of the Constitution, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said.

Lacson cautioned against proposals circulating in the wake of the scandal, including a so-called “transition council” and a supposed military-backed “reset,” calling them unconstitutional and unrealistic. Those pushing such ideas, he said, might as well “dream on.”

“I hope such military-backed intervention would not happen because nothing good can come out of it,” Lacson said in a mix of Filipino and English during an interview on DZBB. He added that moments of national crisis tend to fuel “active imaginations,” but passion for reform should not lead to extra-legal solutions.

He said some retired military officials had reached out to him regarding a civil-military junta but stressed he refused to engage. “Sa akin may nag-udyok (at) gusto civil-military junta… Meron pang offer maging part ako ng junta, ng council. Kaya dine-dedma ko,” he said.

Lacson emphasized that any change in leadership must adhere strictly to the 1987 Constitution, which outlines the line of succession ending with the House Speaker. He noted this was the basis for his proposed “Designated Survivor” bill to extend the line of succession to include the most senior members of Congress.

The senator also said the Catholic Church does not support violence, citing a recent meeting with Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David. “I am glad that the Catholic Church is also after punishing the corrupt but not favoring violence. After all, what good will violence do for the nation?” he said.

Despite public frustration, Lacson acknowledged positive developments, including the recent issuance of arrest warrants for former Rep. Elizaldy Co and several others linked to the corruption scandal.

He said both Senate majority and minority blocs are aligned in pushing for reforms in the national budget process to prevent a repeat of what he called the worst budget he had seen — the 2025 spending plan. He cited indecent insertions, including the diversion of P50 billion in unprogrammed funds for infrastructure projects in 2024, P30 billion of which went to flood control projects.

“The majority and minority in the Senate are virtually one in making sure the 2026 budget will be transparent, so there will be no repeat of the corruption in the budgets from 2023 to 2025,” he said.

Lacson, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, said the panel will support ongoing enforcement actions by providing the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman with evidence gathered during its investigation.

“On the aspect of investigation, we can provide the DOJ and Ombudsman copies of evidence we gathered, even if there is no committee report yet – so they can use the evidence to go after those involved,” he said.