Tulfo, Ejercito turn down Blue Ribbon post

National

SENATORS Raffy Tulfo and JV Ejercito declined to lead the Blue Ribbon Committee following the resignation of Sen. Ping Lacson amid a deepening corruption probe on flood control projects.

Senate President Tito Sotto confirmed that five senators from the majority bloc are being considered to take Lacson’s place: Tulfo, Ejercito, Pia Cayetano, Kiko Pangilinan, and Risa Hontiveros.

He clarified that the position does not require a lawyer, emphasizing instead the need for credibility and integrity to lead investigations into government wrongdoing.

In a Philstar report, Tulfo said he was grateful for being considered but would rather stay focused on his current chairmanships—labor, migrant workers, and public services—calling them his “main advocacies.” He said accepting another major post could distract him from his ongoing work.

Ejercito, for his part, said that others are “more capable” of handling the politically charged Blue Ribbon Committee. He added that while he once voiced frustration over how the flood control hearings were managed, everything has been "cleared up” within the chamber.

“Wala naman [sama ng loob]. Tingin ko sa amin wala.” Ejercito said in a Philstar report confirming he had already informed Sotto of his decision to withdraw from consideration. He added that the majority bloc is expected to decide on the next chair during its next caucus.

Meanwhile, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan urged Lacson to reconsider his resignation, saying that disagreements within the majority were already resolved during their Oct.1 caucus.

“I appeal to Sen. Ping to stay on as Blue Ribbon Committee chairman,” Pangilinan said, adding that his leadership remains critical as investigations progress.

Lacson, however, stood firm on his decision, stating simply: “When I say no, it’s no. When I say yes, it’s yes.”

Senators Cayetano and Hontiveros, who are also on the shortlist, have yet to comment on whether they are willing to take on the role.

The leadership shake-up comes as the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee continues its probe into the multibillion-peso flood control scandal, which allegedly involves kickbacks from public works projects tied to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and several lawmakers.

The controversy has heightened political tensions within the chamber as the search for the committee’s next chair intensifies.(Xienderlyn Trinidad, USJ-R Comm Intern)