Camille Naredo

Senator Panfilo Lacson during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on anomalous flood control projects in Pasay City on January 19, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

Senator Panfilo Lacson during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on anomalous flood control projects in Pasay City on January 19, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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SENATE PROBE- FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177797835365820260119-senate-probe-flood-control-lacson-JC9646.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Senator Panfilo Lacson during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on anomalous flood control projects in Pasay City on January 19, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File" width="960"/>Senator Panfilo Lacson during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on anomalous flood control projects in Pasay City on January 19, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</div>MANILA -- Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, on Tuesday recommended an investigation on personalities who are allegedly involved in the flood control scandal.Lacson named former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, former Senate President Francis Escudero, and Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, and former representatives Elizaldy Co and Mitch Cajayon Uy as those who should face investigation for plunder and other charges.<div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/2/lacson-to-make-privilege-speech-on-blue-ribbon-partial-flood-control-report-next-week-0921">READ: Lacson to make privilege speech on Blue Ribbon partial flood control report next week</a></div>Aside from plunder, the other charges for investigation are direct bribery, malversation, various violations of the anti graft and corrupt practices and the code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees.He made similar recommendations for a host of intermediaries, former public works officials including former Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and contractors.Separately, Lacson recommended a fact-finding investigation against Romualdez for money laundering and forfeiture, along with other Department of Public Works and Highways officials.He also made similar recommendations for falsification of documents and identities, perjury and bid rigging for other public works officials.Lacson, who acknowledged that their recommendations have been overtaken by events since the Ombudsman has initiated cases, also made it clear that he is not indicting anybody.&quot;Our recommendations are, by design, recommendatory and conditioned on independent investigation. Kung mali ang alegasyon, the process clears them. Kung totoo, the process convicts — with due process and accountability - makukulong ang dapat makulong,&quot; he said during a privilege speech at the Senate on Tuesday. Lacson also belied claims that he is shielding Romualdez from Senate investigations, insisting that the former House Speaker cannot be compelled to face the Senate due to interparliamentary courtesy.<div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/27/marcoleta-wants-romualdez-to-face-senate-probe-over-flood-control-issue-1450">READ: Marcoleta wants Romualdez to face Senate probe over flood control issue</a></div>He also denied that he is holding onto the list of congressmen contractors: &quot;Liwanagin ko lang po muli. Hindi ko kailanman sinabing hawak ko ang listahan ng mga cong-tractor na ito. To set the record straight, ang makailang ulit ko nang nabanggit ay ang impormasyong ibinahagi lamang ng isang congressman — walang detalye kung sino-sino.&quot;Lacson made his recommendations through a privilege speech, as he noted that their partial committee report is still two signatures short -- three months after he had submitted it to other members. Senator Raffy Tulfo was the latest to sign after Senators Erwin Tulfo, Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan, Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Lacson.Afterward, Lacson did not accept any questions or open himself to interpellations.&quot;I reserve my right to address any and all interpellations after my sponsorship of the still pending Partial Committee Report,&quot; he said. &quot;Dalawa na lang po, two or three more at pwede nang i-file sa Bills and Index Division ng Senado ang partial committee report.  Until then, I am not yet yielding the floor.&quot;This statement drew flak from Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who felt that he was being alluded to by Lacson in his speech. Marcoleta called Lacson&#x27;s statement &quot;very highly unusual.&quot;&quot;Why would Senator Lacson make a precondition that the Partial Report should be signed by at least a majority of its members before he can yield to interpellation?&quot; Marcoleta said.Senate President Vicente Sotto III pointed out, however, that Lacson&#x27;s declaration was not unique.&quot;May I place on record that it is the prerogative of any member of the Senate to yield or not yield. As a matter of fact, in my many years here, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago … Every time she delivers a privilege speech, does not entertain any interpellation,&quot; Sotto said.Senator Jinggoy Estrada also wanted to ask questions but for the same reason, he was not entertained.Senator Erwin Tulfo, meanwhile, said he signed the report even if he did not agree with all of it. &quot;I affixed my signature not as an endorsement of every conclusion contained therein, but as a recognition that the report is, at best, incomplete. It reflects portions of the truth—but not its full measure,&quot; he said.<div> </div><div>&#x27;NOT BOTHERED BY IT&#x27;</div>Senators Estrada and Villanueva said they were not bothered by Lacson&#x27;s recommendations.&quot;It&#x27;s just a recommendation. Hindi naman damaging,&quot; Estrada commented. &quot;I&#x27;m not bothered by it. Tsaka naglabas na ng statement ang LBRMO na wala ako nung sinasabi ni Bryce Hernandez nung nag-hearing sa House ako raw yung nag-insert ng 355 million sinabi naman dito na wala naman talaga akong insertion, talagang makapanira lang sila and I hope that they won&#x27;t take it as a gospel truth.&quot;Estrada insisted that they take no part in the awarding of projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). He also made it clear that he has no grudge against Lacson, and even welcomes the hearings by the committee.Villanueva, meanwhile, said the truth is on his side and is also not bothered by the recommendation of the BRC.&quot;We&#x27;ll never be bothered by anything that is being thrown at me because I know the truth and the truth is on my side. Maaaring yung justice ay delayed but I don&#x27;t think justice will be denied. Until now, we are submitting ourselves doon sa proseso,&quot; Villanueva said. &quot;I will not allow anyone to put me in a position as their punching bag.&quot;He adds that he is looking forward to defending himself.&quot;Until now, I&#x27;m not being charged at all. Sa mga news, sa dami ng nangyaring balita for the past so many months that I have kept my silence, wala pa rin. And ako, I&#x27;m just, on my end, I&#x27;m just waiting for the right time to speak up and defend myself kasi records will bail me out,&quot; Villanueva said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, on Tuesday recommended an investigation on personalities who are allegedly involved in the flood control scandal.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, on Tuesday recommended an investigation on personalities who are allegedly involved in the flood control scandal.

Lacson wants investigation on Romualdez, Escudero, Villanueva, Estrada

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Lacson wants investigation on Romualdez, Escudero, Villanueva, Estrada

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 05, 2026 07:04 PM PHT

|

Updated May 06, 2026 08:47 PM PHT

Read More:

Senate

Panfilo Lacson

preliminary investigation

flood control scandal

Rodante Marcoleta

Martin Romualdez

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