Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has appealed to Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson to rethink his decision to resign as chair of the powerful Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, stressing the importance of stability and unity amid the country’s political uncertainty.
“I hope Senator Ping will reconsider his decision to resign as Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee,” Pangilinan said in a Facebook post on Monday, October 7.
Lacson earlier stepped down from his post following disagreements among some senators regarding his handling of investigations, particularly those related to alleged anomalies in flood control projects. He cited “disappointment” from colleagues over the direction of the probe as his reason for leaving the post.
Pangilinan, however, clarified that while there were differences within the majority bloc, the issues had already been resolved in a caucus held on October 1. “My sense was and is that while there were a number of our colleagues in the Majority bloc who disagreed with some earlier public pronouncements made by him, the matter had been threshed out and clarified by him in a majority caucus held last Wednesday, Oct. 1,” he said. “No one in the majority bloc sought his replacement as Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman.”
The senator called on Lacson to remain in his position, saying he believes his leadership continues to have the backing of the majority. “I appeal to Sen Ping to stay on as Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman and appeal as well to our colleagues in the majority bloc to reaffirm our support for him to stay on even as we iron out our differences,” he said.
Pangilinan acknowledged Lacson’s sensitivity to the sentiments of his peers but expressed optimism that with renewed support, he could still be persuaded to stay. “While I appreciate Senator Ping’s sensitivity to the sentiments expressed by our fellow Senators in the Majority as a reason for his resignation, I am still hopeful that with the renewed support of the Majority bloc he will be convinced to stay on,” he added.
He also underscored the significance of maintaining stability during what he described as a politically turbulent period. “Now more than ever, amidst the political crisis facing the nation, our people are looking for stability and certainty in the state of our affairs,” Pangilinan said. “Our institutions must withstand the ongoing crisis and resolve it in favor of the truth, transparency, and public accountability.”
