Ping return as Blue Ribbon chair to restore Senate stability –Padilla

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

Senator Panfilo Lacson (Ping Lacson/facebook)

MANILA – Senator Robinhood Padilla on Monday said the return of Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson as chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee would help restore stability and credibility to the chamber’s investigations.

In a Facebook post, Padilla expressed gratitude that Lacson, a member of the majority bloc, agreed to once again lead the powerful panel, saying his leadership would prevent the committee from being mired in partisan conflict.

“Magpasalamat na rin po tayo at siya ang muling tagapangulo ng komite ng Blue Ribbon mula sa Majority bloc, kesa po sa ibang mga senador na batid natin at lantaran ang kulay ng pulitika, na maaring pagmulan ng mas mainit na palitan ng mga putik na mas magbabaon sa Senado sa kumunoy (Let us also be thankful that he, from the Majority bloc, is once again the chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee, instead of other senators whose political colors are already evident and could trigger further mudslinging that would drag the Senate deeper into the mire),” he said.

Padilla urged fellow senators and the public to trust Lacson’s leadership, adding that the senator’s return would allow the Blue Ribbon Committee to perform its oversight role with professionalism and fairness.

“Manalig po muna tayo sa magiging muling takbo ng pamumuno ni Senator Panfilo Lacson (Let us first put our trust in the renewed leadership of Senator Panfilo Lacson),” he added.

Padilla said while some members of the minority bloc preferred Senator Rodante Marcoleta for the post, the authority to designate a committee chair rests with the majority bloc.

“Hindi po natin maipipilit ang kagustuhan natin dahil wala po sa minority ang kapangyarihan para magtalaga ng tagapangulo ng komite (We cannot insist on our preference because the power to appoint a committee chair does not lie with the minority),” he added.

Calling for calm amid disagreements on the committee leadership, Padilla reminded colleagues that political mudslinging would only damage the institution.

“Ano man ang ating kulay sa pulitika, batid ko na mahirap humiling ng kalma, pero hindi po makakatulong sa Senado kung tayo ay magpupukulan pa ng mga putik sa kung sino ang mamuno sa imbestigasyon (Whatever our political color, I know it’s hard to ask for calm, but it will not help the Senate if we continue throwing mud at each other over who should lead the investigation),” he said.