Following the reappointment of Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson as head of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee last week, analysts said no other changes in leadership in the Senate are expected as this could further erode public confidence.
Michael Henry LL said, “Senators do not desire a change of leadership at this time due to potential public backlash.” Usingco, a fellow at the Ateneo de Manila University Policy Center, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.
“At the moment, people want action against corruption. The leadership change could be seen as an attempt by the Senate to obscure the situation and avoid accountability,” he said.
Gary D. Ador Dionisio, dean of the De La Salle-College of St. Benildes School of Diplomacy and Governance, said any leadership reshuffle in the upper chamber could face further backlash from the public.
“Given the invested interest of various groups in the flood control investigation, any effort by Congress, contractors or (public works) officials to cover up any allegations would provoke a major backlash from our political institutions,” he said in a Messenger chat. “Thus, a reshuffle in leadership is the least important concern at this time.”
Mr Ador Dionisio said the senator's return to the committee was inevitable as the majority of MPs eyeing the position rejected the Senate chief's proposal.
He said, “Senator Lacson's return as committee head is inevitable, as the majority of the Senate has decided to decline this highly important position at this critical juncture of Philippine politics.”
Hansli A. Juliano, a political science lecturer at the Ateneo de Manila University, said this could trigger a leadership struggle in the Senate.
“In my view, the (Blue Ribbon Committee) reshuffle could only trigger a leadership struggle unless the Duterte bloc raises hell, and the rest of the Senate gets intimidated by it again,” he said in a Messenger chat.
Mr. Juliano said Mr. Lacson has developed a longer and more established reputation that may protect him from current bias.
Last week, Senate President Vicente “Tito” C. Sotto III confirmed that Mr. Lacson is set to return as committee chief after the upper chamber reconvenes next month.
The senator had earlier resigned as committee chairman, in the face of criticism from fellow senators over his handling of the chamber's investigation on disproportionate flood projects.
Mr Lacson said in a statement on Saturday that he would resume the investigation of the Senate committee on unusual infrastructure projects when the session resumes next month.
“If he is re-elected as Blue Ribbon Chairman on November 10, our hearing will resume on November 14,” he said.
He said the committee would appoint party-list representative Elizaldi S. The company will also invite former security associate Orly Guteza.
“To help expedite the filing of strict cases against some politicians, DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) officials and errant contractors, we will, among others, invite a ‘very important witness’ and retired TSGT Orly Guteza to shed more light on his (sworn statement),” Mr. Lacson said.
Mr Guteza claims he was part of the team that delivered bags of money, which they called “basura” (trash), to the MLA. , Adrian H. Halili
