Efforts to submit the Senate blue ribbon committee’s partial report on the flood control probe have hit a snag after a senator was reportedly urged by a colleague not to sign the document, Senate Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said.
Lacson said Senate President Vicente Sotto III relayed that one senator declined to sign after being asked by a member of the minority bloc.
“May nakausap siyang isa… ang pagkasabi sa kanya, pasensya na kasi napakiusapan ako ng isa sa minority ngayon na dati naming kasama sa majority,” Lacson said in a radio interview.
The committee is now short of three signatures needed to elevate the report to the plenary. Those who have signed include Sotto, Lacson, vice chair Erwin Tulfo, and senators Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan, and Risa Hontiveros.
Lacson acknowledged feeling disappointed but said he understands the influence of personal relationships among lawmakers.
“May disappointment pero mas nananaig yung naiintindihan ko yung situation nila… may human factor,” he said.
He added that the recent arrest of former lawmaker Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co in Prague could prompt senators to reconsider their stance.
“Kung gusto nilang malaman ang katotohanan… baka sakaling magkaroon ng pagbabago ng isip,” Lacson said.
The partial report must be submitted to the plenary before further deliberations, including amendments and interpellations, can proceed. The committee has suspended its investigation pending the report’s submission.
