Five senators are being considered to replace Sen. Panfilo Lacson as chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee following his resignation, Senate President Vicente Sotto III confirmed.
The shortlist includes Senators JV Ejercito, Raffy Tulfo, Pia Cayetano, Francis Pangilinan, and Risa Hontiveros, though Ejercito and Tulfo have both expressed hesitancy to accept the post.
Lacson stepped down despite appeals from colleagues, citing frustration over the intense scrutiny and political friction arising from his recent remarks on budget insertions.
Meanwhile, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada filed four counts of perjury against former DPWH engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez, who allegedly made false kickback claims against him during flood control probes.
Former Sen. Richard Gordon has since urged prosecutors and watchdog agencies to pursue corruption cases more decisively, warning that political delays could undermine accountability efforts.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 8, 2025
