MANILA – Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said he will elevate the findings of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s probe into flood control projects to the plenary, stressing that the public must be properly informed amid what he described as misleading claims.

Lacson, who chairs the Blue Ribbon Committee, said the move comes after several hearings and in response to concerns raised by some lawmakers over the panel’s focus on partial findings.

He emphasized that while all committee members are free to express their views, he intends to present the panel’s progress to ensure transparency and counter what he called inaccurate narratives.

“I am decided to bring up in plenary the contents and more of what we have accomplished so far after seven or eight committee hearings. There is an underlying reason for my decision – the Filipino people not only deserve to be updated but more so properly and accurately informed amid the false narratives being floated by some critics that we are being selective in going after the culprits in the flood control mess,” he said.

Earlier, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano raised concerns about the attention given to the partial committee report, saying lawmakers should instead focus on establishing the broader context of the issue.

Cayetano also noted that some senators who reviewed the report do not fully agree with certain portions, highlighting the need for further discussions.

Lacson clarified that affixing signatures to the report does not necessarily indicate full agreement, but allows it to be presented before the plenary for debate, amendments, and possible adoption.

With the partial report still lacking sufficient signatures, Lacson said he will instead deliver a Chairman’s Progress Report through a privilege speech, outlining key findings from the investigation.

He also reiterated respect for colleagues who opted not to sign the report, despite disagreeing with their decision.

“While I disagree with those who do not want to sign, let me be clear that I respect and understand their individual decisions whatever their reasons are, including that of the minority leader,” he said.

Lacson added that the committee’s hearings have uncovered significant evidence that contributed to case build-ups against several individuals, following a push from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his State of the Nation Address last year.

“It must be recalled that it was President Marcos who triggered, even motivated me and my team to follow through on his ‘Mahiya naman kayo..’ SONA message last year and I sincerely believe that the BRC hearings triggered and exposed many vital pieces of evidence that resulted in the indictments and preliminary investigations currently being undertaken by the Sandiganbayan, the Ombudsman, Department of Justice, Anti-Money Laundering Council, to name some,” he said.