Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Draft Report Recommends Plunder Charges Against Lawmakers
A draft report from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, has recommended the filing of plunder and other criminal charges against several high-profile lawmakers and former officials over alleged irregularities in multibillion-peso flood control projects across the Philippines.
Key Figures Named in Draft Report
The draft report specifically targets Senators Francis "Chiz" Escudero, Joel Villanueva, and Jinggoy Estrada, along with resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co and several other individuals. The recommendations stem from a series of committee hearings investigating anomalous implementation of flood control projects in multiple regions.
During these hearings, lawmakers and government officials faced questioning about alleged budget insertions, "ghost" projects, and kickback schemes that reportedly plagued the infrastructure initiatives.
Additional Charges Recommended
The comprehensive draft report also recommends the filing of plunder, malversation of public funds, and direct bribery charges against former Senator Bong Revilla, former congresswoman Mitch Cajayon Uy, and former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan. These recommendations reflect what Senator Lacson described as "practical realities on the ground" during his interview with reporters on Wednesday, February 4, 2025.
Document Leak and Signature Withdrawals
Senator Lacson confirmed the existence of a leaked partial report, suggesting it may have originated from Senator Lapid's office. He emphasized that his own office handled the document carefully since they recognized it as unofficial. The partial report initially received signatures from several senators including Juan Miguel Zubiri, JV Ejercito, Win Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, and Kiko Pangilinan.
However, Senators Zubiri, Ejercito, and Gatchalian later withdrew their signatures to allow for further study and consideration of the document's contents.
Legal Alignment and Committee Process
Senator Lacson defended the draft report's recommendations, noting they align with ongoing legal actions by the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman. He revealed that many individuals recommended for charges are already subjects of preliminary investigations or have existing warrants against them.
The committee chairman stated that the report was prepared by committee staff under senior legal counsel guidance, with inputs incorporated from Senate leadership including Senate President Vicente Sotto III. Lacson emphasized his full responsibility for the content and his unwillingness to sponsor any report not aligned with reality.
Current Legal Status of Named Individuals
Among those recommended for charges, only Representative Zaldy Co currently has a standing arrest warrant related to an anomalous P289-million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. Former Senator Bong Revilla has already been arrested and remains detained at the New Quezon City Jail over a separate anomalous flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
The partial report requires signatures and approval from at least eleven senators to become an official committee report. Without this threshold, the document will remain in draft form without official Senate endorsement.
