MANILA, Philippines — October 8, 2025 — Senator Erwin Tulfo is set to automatically assume the chairmanship of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee if no other lawmaker accepts the position vacated by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, who resigned earlier this week.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto announced that several senators — including Raffy Tulfo, JV Ejercito, Francis Pangilinan, Pia Cayetano, and Risa Hontiveros — were being considered to take over the powerful investigative panel.
However, as of Tuesday night, Sotto confirmed that Senator Raffy Tulfo had formally declined the offer, while Ejercito was still weighing his decision.
“If no one accepts the post, the vice chairman automatically steps in,” Sotto explained, referring to Erwin Tulfo, who currently serves as the lone vice chair of the committee. “Erwin could be a good choice. He has expertise in investigative journalism — and he’s fearless,” Sotto added.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, officially known as the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations, is responsible for probing government corruption and misconduct.
At present, Senator Erwin Tulfo heads two other committees: Games and Amusement, and Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development.
His brother, Senator Raffy Tulfo, clarified that he declined the blue ribbon post to remain focused on his responsibilities as chair of the Committees on Labor, Migrant Workers, and Public Services.
Meanwhile, Senator JV Ejercito expressed gratitude for being considered but said others may be more suited for the position. “There are others who are more capable of leading this important committee,” he said in Filipino.
Senator Francis Pangilinan, who chairs three major committees — Agriculture, Justice and Human Rights, and Constitutional Amendments — also turned down the offer, citing his ongoing advocacy for the agriculture sector.
The chairmanship was vacated after Senator Panfilo Lacson resigned amid the Blue Ribbon Committee’s ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in government flood control projects. In his resignation letter, Lacson said some senators had expressed dissatisfaction with the direction of the inquiry, prompting him to step down.
If no other senator accepts the chairmanship, Senator Erwin Tulfo is expected to take the helm, bringing his background in investigative journalism and public service to one of the Senate’s most powerful and closely watched committees.