Senator Ping Lacson is the new chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee, replacing Senator Rodante Marcoleta. This comes after a change in Senate leadership that saw Senator Chiz Escudero ousted and Tito Sotto replaced as the new Senate President.
According to Sotto, Marcoleta is not part of the majority, and the Blue Ribbon is reserved only for its members. So Lacson officially took over. Meanwhile, Senator Win Gatchalian will remain as chair of the Finance Committee.
The Blue Ribbon Committee is investigating allegations of corruption. Currently, the main investigation is major anomalies in flood control projects estimated to cost over ₱1 trillion. Lacson himself was the first to reveal that huge funds may have been wasted through corruption.
Marcoleta has drawn criticism for the way he handled the hearings. Some senators said he was unfairly giving time to questions, and that he seemed to be not questioning people fully, including some contractors connected to past officials.
Marcoleta has drawn criticism for the way he handled the hearings. Some senators said he was unfairly giving time to questions, and that he seemed to be not questioning people fully, including some contractors connected to past officials.
