Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson is poised to reclaim the chairmanship of the powerful blue ribbon committee, raising questions about whether Senate President Tito Sotto will retain his leadership role. Lacson's return stems from calls by his colleagues, with the probe into the flood control scandal set to resume on November 14. Sotto remains confident in his peers' support.
On September 8, 2025, Senator Vicente 'Tito' Sotto III was elected Senate President, replacing Senator Chiz Escudero. Now, Senator Ping Lacson is expected to return as chair of the blue ribbon committee when sessions resume on November 10, 2025. This development surprised many, as Lacson was thought to have resigned in October as the 'sacrificial lamb' of Sotto's majority bloc.
Lacson is renowned for his no-nonsense leadership. During his previous tenure as chair, he uncovered extensive evidence in the flood control scandal, involving alleged corruption among government officials, private contractors, and lawmakers who handle the budget. Witnesses in the blue ribbon committee hearings named senators Chiz Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, and Joel Villanueva, as well as former senators Nancy Binay and Bong Revilla, as recipients of kickbacks through their budget insertions. At one point, Senator JV Ejercito, Estrada's half-brother, said he was considering leaving the majority bloc due to the probe's direction.
What changed? Lacson stated that his return was prompted by clamor from his colleagues. If reelected—which is highly likely—the Senate probe into the flood control scandal will resume on November 14. Meanwhile, Sotto is confident he will not be ousted. 'Hindi siguro because alam naman ng mga kasamahan namin na siya rin ang gusto nila. And if ever there is, no problem with that. I always serve at the pleasure of my peers. Mas madali pa nga ‘yung senador ka lang kaysa ikaw ‘yung official,' Sotto told reporters.
Lacson's return as blue ribbon chair may come at a price, with the public urged to watch for backroom negotiations that often shape real deals. This unfolds amid the Senate's broader struggle for relevance in the flood control mess.