Senator Panfilo Lacson expressed confidence that the partial Blue Ribbon committee report on the flood control scandal will gain additional signatures from senators to be sent to the plenary, noting that the wording has been revised to address earlier concerns.
So far, only four senators have signed the report, while three who withdrew their support after a draft leaked are yet to recommit, amid sensitive allegations against minority bloc senators Escudero, Estrada, and Villanueva.
Lacson emphasized that the partial status of the report allows for amendments in the Senate plenary as hearings are still ongoing.
Meanwhile, 16 of 18 alleged former “Marines” who claimed they delivered cash on behalf of ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to provide documentation supporting their statements.
The Office of the Ombudsman has requested individual affidavits from the group regarding alleged kickbacks in flood control projects, while former congressman Mike Defensor, who assisted the ex-Marines, called the NBI summons harassment and intimidation.
Source: PhilNews24 | March 13, 2026
