MANILA – Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson relinquished his chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation, citing his heavy workload, and the position was assumed by Senator Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros.

Lacson said he raised the matter during the majority bloc caucus at noon and that Hontiveros was willing to take over the committee leadership.

“Puno ako sa Blue Ribbon and Accounts, Senate President Pro Tempore pa ako. Amenable naman si Sen. Hontiveros to chair,” Lacson said, noting his commitments as chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee, which is investigating alleged corruption in flood control projects, and the Committee on Accounts.

During the Senate session, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri informed lawmakers that Lacson had communicated his intention to step down and moved to elect Hontiveros as the new committee chairperson.