Lacson Denies Interference in Flood Control Probe, Addresses Tensions wiht Marcoleta
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Panfilo Lacson clarified his position on the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee‘s probe into questionable flood control projects, responding to insinuations by committee chairman Senator Francis Tolentino Marcoleta that he sought to reschedule hearings to avoid Marcoleta’s leadership. The exchange stems from a scheduling conflict with the Senate Finance Committee’s hearing on the proposed 2026 budget.
Lacson addressed the issue following Marcoleta’s comments on a television program, where he criticized Lacson, Senator Francis Pangilinan, and Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III for proposing an self-reliant body to investigate flood control anomalies, alleging an attempt to undermine the Blue Ribbon Committee’s mandate.
“To set the record straight, no one is interfering in his work. We all want to have good governance,” Lacson stated in a radio interview, speaking in Filipino.He explained that his request was not specifically aimed at Marcoleta, but rather a suggestion to reschedule both the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, scheduled for 9 a.m.on September 1st, and the Finance Committee hearing, set for 10 a.m. that same day, due to the importance of both proceedings. The Finance Committee hearing will include a briefing by the Development budget Coordination Committee on the Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 National Expenditure Program.
Lacson emphasized he recognizes Marcoleta’s mandate as chairman and did not intend to belittle the committee’s hearing. “I was not asking him to reschedule his hearing. I merely asked either hearings to be held on another date, as they are both crucial,” he said.
He concluded by stating, “I don’t want a fight but I won’t back down from one,” clarifying his intent to correct any misimpressions created by Marcoleta’s statements.The Blue Ribbon Committee is currently probing possibly “ghost or substandard flood control projects.”
