5 senators considered to replace Ping in Blue Ribbon

According to Sotto, the shortlist includes Senators JV Ejercito, Raffy Tulfo, Pia Cayetano, Francis Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros.

A caucus among the Senate majority is scheduled today to formally discuss the leadership vacancy created by Lacson’s departure.

Despite strong public calls for Lacson to stay, Sotto admitted he was unable to convince the senator to reconsider.

He said that after several days, Lacson remained firm in his decision to step down from the chairmanship, although he will continue to sit in the committee as an ex-officio member by virtue of his position as Senate President Pro Tempore.

Sotto described Lacson as an objective investigator who follows the evidence, and not one who targets his fellow lawmakers arbitrarily.

However, he acknowledged that the intense scrutiny during the committee’s probes left the former chair “frustrated.”

The vacancy follows tensions in the Senate after Lacson’s remarks that nearly all senators had made insertions into the 2025 budget – a statement that initially caused friction among his colleagues but has since been addressed in a previous caucus.

Among those being considered for the post, Sen. JV Ejercito has expressed hesitation.

While grateful for the consideration, he admitted he would likely decline the offer, citing other senators who may be better suited to lead such an important committee.

Senator Raffy Tulfo also released a statement respectfully declining the position to focus on his current committee chairmanships in labor, migrant workers and public services, which are his main areas of advocacy.

Meanwhile, other senators continue to appeal to Lacson to reconsider his resignation, with some arguing that his leadership is crucial for maintaining the Senate’s credibility, particularly in sensitive investigations.

Senator Lito Lapid voiced support for Lacson’s retention, emphasizing his investigative credentials as a former police chief, likening him to figures such as Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Sen. Ronald dela Rosa.

The Blue Ribbon committee’s hearings on flood control projects have been temporarily suspended due to scheduling conflicts, as several members also sit on the committee on finance.

Hearings are expected to resume after the congressional break in November.Perjury cases

In a related development that may impact the ongoing Senate inquiries, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada has filed four counts of perjury against former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) assistant district engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez.

Estrada accused Hernandez of making false statements under oath during congressional investigations into alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

The complaint, filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office, arises from Hernandez’s testimonies before the Senate Blue Ribbon committee and the House committee on public works and highways.

Estrada said these statements were “maliciously fabricated” to damage his reputation.

According to the senator’s legal team, the perjury charges relate to four separate falsehoods allegedly made by Hernandez.

These include claims that Estrada demanded a 30 percent kickback from P355 million worth of flood control projects in Bulacan, the supposed involvement of Estrada’s staff member “Beng Ramos” in ghost projects, Hernandez’s denial of his role in the anomalous projects and his alleged use of a fake driver’s license under the alias “Marvin de Guzman” to enter casinos.

Estrada emphasized that Hernandez’s kickback claim was “retaliatory,” made immediately after he was cited in contempt and detained by the Blue Ribbon committee.

“These malicious statements were deliberate lies made under oath, intended to destroy my name and reputation,” Estrada said. “The evidence presented in subsequent hearings completely disproves his baseless accusations.”

“I don’t know why he mentioned my name in the House hearing. It was all done to smear my character. The next day after his detention, he fabricated stories and dragged my name into it,” he told reporters.

The complaint asserts that testimonies from contractors contradicted Hernandez’s claims.

Engineer Henry Alcantara reportedly told the Senate he had no transactions with Estrada, while DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo also denied the senator’s involvement in any kickback scheme.

Estrada’s camp further submitted affidavits from Divina Gracia “Beng” Ramos and contractor Mina Jose, both stating they had no links to the senator and highlighting multiple inconsistencies in Hernandez’s statements during the hearings.

While Hernandez initially denied involvement in the flood control projects in Bulacan, Estrada said it later emerged that he was the mastermind behind them, receiving a 20 percent share from each ghost project.

He also refuted Hernandez’s story about Mina Jose visiting his office, saying it was later proven she had gone to a different office entirely.

“You can clearly see that Brice Hernandez is a habitual liar,” Estrada noted.

The complaint invokes Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes perjury with imprisonment, fines of up to P1 million and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Estrada also requested the issuance of a precautionary hold departure order to prevent Hernandez from fleeing the country, citing his use of aliases and falsified identification cards as signs of being a flight risk.

Hernandez is reportedly under the Department of Justice’s Witness Protection Program.

Estrada, who was instrumental in citing Hernandez in contempt during the Blue Ribbon hearings, reiterated that the accusations were clearly retaliatory.

He expressed confidence the perjury charges would hold up, citing the live broadcast of the hearings as evidence of the inconsistencies in Hernandez’s statements.

“Nationwide naman ang coverage. The public saw for themselves how deceitful this person is,” Estrada said.

Regarding the Blue Ribbon committee’s leadership shift, Estrada said he would continue to participate in the hearings regardless of who replaces Lacson as chair.

He believes the investigation must proceed, pointing out that key individuals such as former House speaker Martin Romualdez and resigned Albay Rep. Zaldy Co have yet to be called to testify.

Addressing rumors of another leadership shake-up in the Senate, Estrada dismissed the speculation, saying he was unaware of any such moves.

When asked about Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s suggestion for a “snap election” within the chamber, he responded, “That is his own opinion, not the opinion of the minority.”

Hernandez, who previously served as assistant district engineer for the DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office, had earlier accused multiple public officials of benefiting from alleged flood control kickbacks.

Estrada has consistently denied any involvement.

The Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office is expected to evaluate the complaint to determine if probable cause exists for formal charges.

If convicted, Hernandez could face imprisonment and permanent disqualification from public office.

Bolder probe

Amid shifting leadership and mounting legal battles, former senator Richard Gordon has called for a more aggressive approach to the unfolding flood control controversy.

He urged prosecutors, oversight bodies and Congress to act decisively, warning that political delays and strategic appointments could undermine the push for accountability.

Speaking on One News’ “Storycon,” Gordon weighed in as both the Senate Blue Ribbon committee and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) continued parallel investigations into alleged corruption in flood control projects and questionable budget insertions.

He noted that the Blue Ribbon committee’s momentum had already been shaken by recent leadership changes, particularly the resignation of Lacson as its chair.

Gordon emphasized that the responsibility now lies with prosecutors, the Office of the Ombudsman and other watchdog agencies to pursue the truth without political interference.

He called for former Senate leaders and oversight figures to resume a more assertive role in ensuring government accountability and urged the ombudsman to act motu proprio when warranted.

“If the people who are supposed to file the cases are afraid, that’s where we should force them to act,” he said, stressing that investigators must “swing that bat” and not be timid in pursuing justice.

Gordon also raised concerns over political maneuvering within the Senate, suggesting that certain lawmakers were considering leaving the majority due to dissatisfaction with how the Blue Ribbon probe was being handled.

He warned that any reorganization aimed at stalling investigations would signal bad faith.

Without naming specific individuals, Gordon questioned the timing and implications of appointing administration allies to key government posts during an active investigation.

He cautioned that such moves could create perceptions, or realities, of protection for implicated officials.

He directed a pointed appeal to incoming ombudsman Boying Remulla, urging him to show resolve and act swiftly on available evidence by “filing the case right away.”

Turning to the ICI, Gordon acknowledged the commission’s efforts but pointed out its limited authority.

He argued that without clear legal mechanisms or stronger cooperation with prosecutorial bodies, the ICI’s work might fall short of delivering actual accountability.

“Let the Blue Ribbon do its job. Let Congress do its job,” he said, adding that the ICI “cannot even issue a warrant of arrest on their own” and calling for either expanded powers or better coordination with entities capable of enforcement.

He warned that continued inaction or delay by prosecutorial offices and watchdogs would only lead to greater public frustration and skepticism.

Transparency and speed, he stressed, are vital.

“If the prosecutors are fast and the courts are fast, we can accelerate this,” Gordon said.

He also called on the public to demand more from their institutions, urging citizens to hold lawmakers and investigators accountable and push for meaningful justice.

Framing his appeal as a moral obligation, Gordon reflected on his own record in pursuing corruption cases and emphasized the importance of political courage.

“When you take an oath you must swing that bat and you must not be afraid,” he said, warning that failure to act leaves ordinary Filipinos “victimized by these people.”

— Neil Jayson Servallos, Christine Boton, Mark Ernest Villeza