Senator Alan Cayetano accuses Senator Lacson of ‘whitewashing’ Blue Ribbon probes

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday again took aim at Senator Panfilo Lacson, accusing the former Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair of steering investigations toward predetermined conclusions and shielding certain individuals from accountability.

During a Facebook Live broadcast, Cayetano said he had observed the work of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee since 2007 and claimed that most of its chairpersons allowed evidence to guide their inquiries.

“Pero during the time of Sen. Lacson, kaisa-isa siyang chairman na obvious na obvious dini-determine ang direction ng committee. Siya na nagtuturo kung sinong guilty o hindi. Pati papunta sa DOJ, papunta sa Ombudsman. Parang nagpapasahan. So very very clear yan,” Cayetano added.

He went on to accuse Lacson of being adept at covering up wrongdoing. “Kung gusto niyo ng pampaputi, punta kayo kay Sen. Lacson kasi magaling mag-whitewash. Baka may pampaputi.” Lacson has yet to issue a response to Cayetano’s latest remarks.

In the same livestream, Cayetano stressed the need for long-term reforms to address corruption, particularly in infrastructure projects, and said investigations into alleged irregularities involving flood control projects should continue.

“‘Pag lumipas itong administration at hindi natin sineryoso ang flood control at ‘yung infra na corruption sa DPWH, babalik at babalik ito mas masama pa. Para itong TB (tuberculosis) na hindi niyo tinuloy ‘yung gamot, magiging drug-resistant ‘yung strain.”

Cayetano has repeatedly criticized members of the Senate's new majority bloc, previously referring to some of them as “tuta” or “lapdogs” of Malacañang.

The remarks come amid lingering tensions following the leadership changes in the Senate. On June 3, senators aligned with the minority bloc convened and elected Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore. He was later formally elected Senate President during a special session on June 17, replacing Cayetano and ending the chamber’s leadership dispute.

Responding to Cayetano’s earlier “lapdog” comments, Panfilo Lacson said the former Senate leader may be nearing a “meltdown.”