MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson announced on Sunday, February 8, 2026, that while the “language” of the draft Blue Ribbon Committee report may be refined, its core substance—including recommendations for criminal charges against sitting senators—will remain unchanged.
The investigation into the multi-billion peso anomalous flood control projects has implicated high-ranking officials and prominent lawmakers.
Key Findings and Recommendations In an interview with radio dzBB, Lacson confirmed the following details of the draft report:
- Senators Implicated: The report recommends the filing of charges against Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Joel Villanueva, and Francis “Chiz” Escudero. Lacson stated it would be “awkward” to change these recommendations given that much of the evidence used by the NBI and DOJ in parallel cases originated from the Blue Ribbon hearings.
- Other Targets: The draft also names former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, fugitive former party-list representative Zaldy Co, and various officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
- Presidential Exoneration: Lacson clarified that the committee found no basis to hold President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. accountable for the irregularities, noting that the President’s role is limited to the final approval of the General Appropriations Act, not its line-item preparation.
The Signature Requirement For the document to transition from a draft to an official panel report, it must clear several procedural hurdles:
- The Magic Number: At least 11 signatures are required to bring the report to the Senate plenary for discussion.
- Minority Participation: Lacson noted the importance of obtaining the signature of Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano. If no minority member signs, the Senate will have to review its rules on the validity of a report supported exclusively by the majority bloc.
- “Chairman’s Report” Alternative: If the draft fails to garner the required 11 signatures, Lacson expressed openness to submitting the findings to the Ombudsman and the DOJ as a “Chairman’s Report.” This would allow the evidence gathered to be used in ongoing legal proceedings regardless of the Senate plenary’s approval.
Next Steps The Blue Ribbon panel is expected to hold one to two more hearings to finalize the document. Lacson expressed hope that a meeting scheduled for Monday, February 9, would resolve concerns regarding the draft’s phrasing and secure the necessary support from committee members.
“The material evidence on the flood control anomalies came from us,” Lacson said, emphasizing that the committee’s work has already laid the groundwork for current cases filed against several individuals.