MANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will remain evidence-driven in its investigation into the alleged cash delivery scheme involving former military personnel, following remarks from the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).

“As chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, I haven’t changed my position about being led by evidence guided only by the prudent and logical way of treating any information that comes to my attention – evaluate and validate the credibility and reliability of both the source as well as the information itself before taking action,” he said.

Lacson was referring to a statement read on television by INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala renewing the call for accountability in the alleged flood control corruption scandal. In the statement, Zabala cited the testimonies of 18 former military personnel who surfaced at a press conference on Feb. 24, which he said may have shown a cash delivery scheme involving ranking officials.

The senator reiterated his respect for the INC and expressed gratitude for its past support in his senatorial campaigns in 2001, 2007, and 2016.

“I have nothing but respect for the INC and will forever be grateful for all the times that they supported me, particularly for the three out of six election campaigns that I participated in, four of which I won,” Lacson said.

“Similarly, I respect their opinion with regard to the 18 ex-military personnel who presented themselves in an organized press conference at the Club Filipino last February 24. Let me emphasize that having a different opinion does not imply disrespect,” he added.

Earlier, Lacson identified two aspects that require closer scrutiny: the alleged P805 billion delivered in cash, which he said appears mathematically inconsistent with kickbacks reportedly facilitated and received by other individuals, and the timing of the Feb. 24 press conference, which took place on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the EDSA-1 uprising and during the International Criminal Court’s hearings related to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

He maintained that the committee’s actions will be guided solely by verified evidence as the probe proceeds.