Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Saturday reaffirmed that any Senate inquiry into allegations of massive cash deliveries to top government officials will be driven strictly by evidence, even as the Iglesia ni Cristo renewed its public call for accountability and transparency over the controversy.
Lacson’s statement came a day after the religious group, through spokesperson Edwil Zabala, urged authorities to decisively address claims linked to alleged corruption in flood control projects, following testimonies from individuals identifying themselves as former Marines and Navy personnel who said they had delivered cash to government officials.
“Hinihintay ng mga Pilipino ang sinasabi ng Senate Blue Ribbon committee chairman na, ‘we will go where the evidence lead us.’ Ngayong may mga lumalabas na pahayag na mula sa mga sangkot, kabilang ang umanoy nagpadala ng male-maletang pera, at kamakailan lang ay pinatuyan ng mga dating sundalo na umaming sila ang naghatid ng mga ito, bakit tila walang malinaw na hakbang upang palawakin pa at tapusin ang imbestigasyon?” Zabala said Friday.
In response, Lacson underscored that his stance as chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has not shifted.
“As chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, I haven’t changed my position about being led by evidence guided only by the prudent and logical way of treating any information that comes to my attention – evaluate and validate the credibility and reliability of both the source as well as the information itself before taking action,” Lacson said in a statement Saturday, February 28.
The senator also addressed the Iglesia ni Cristo’s intervention in the issue, stressing respect despite differences in perspective.
Lacson said he has “nothing but respect for the INC” and that he “will forever be grateful for all the times that they supported me” in his senatorial bids in 2001, 2007 and 2016.
“Similarly, I respect their opinion with regard to the 18 ex-military personnel who presented themselves in an organized press conference at the Club Filipino last February 24. Let me emphasize that having a different opinion does not imply disrespect,” he noted.
Lacson has previously cast doubt on what he described as “questionable” aspects of the claims made by the supposed former soldiers, including the staggering amount of P805 billion allegedly delivered in cash. He also flagged the timing of the press conference, which coincided with the eve of the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power revolt and occurred amid the International Criminal Court’s confirmation of charges hearings involving former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The renewed debate unfolded alongside heightened scrutiny of flood control spending, after the Commission on Audit flagged P275 million worth of flood control projects in Bulacan over “unauthorized relocations” and “questionable accomplishments,” adding pressure on lawmakers to clarify the scope and direction of any potential Senate probe.
Despite the mounting calls for swift action, Lacson maintained that the Senate’s role is not to rush to judgment but to ensure that any investigation proceeds on verifiable facts — and nothing else.