Analysts question credibility of revamped Senate Blue Ribbon body

By Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel

THE reorganization of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee under Senate President Alan Peter S. Cayetano could deepen negative public perception of the chamber and undermine the credibility of future investigations, political analysts said.

“There could have been balance and membership in the committee could have been chosen on the basis of a degree of neutrality and objectivity,” Eric Daniel C. de Torres, a political science professor at the University of the East, told BusinessWorld via Facebook Messenger. “It could affect the credibility of the committee and push strong criticism of the new majority.”

The Senate on May 20 elected Senator Pilar Juliana “Pia” S. Cayetano, sister of the Senate president, as head of the Blue Ribbon Committee, which handles Senate probes into corruption and anomalies involving public officials, including the multibillion-peso flood control scandal. Senators Rodante D. Marcoleta and Jose “Jinggoy” P. Ejercito Estrada, Jr. were named vice-chairmen.

Other members include Senators Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go, Robinhood C. Padilla, Francis Joseph “Chiz” G. Escudero, Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos, Camille A. Villar and Mark A. Villar.

Hansley A. Juliano, a political science professor at the Ateneo de Manila University, said the panel’s role in investigating misconduct by officials could be weakened by what he described as “contentious” appointments.

“Under the most contentious and least credible personalities, the office is openly being handed out as a means of prosecuting political opponents of the Duterte-tied majority bloc,” he said via Messenger.

Amr Solon S. Sison, a political science instructor at Far Eastern University, said the body’s composition could be viewed as an effort by the dominant coalition to protect allies.

“The people, especially the critics, can interpret the recomposition of the Blue Ribbon Committee as an attempt of the dominant coalition to protect the interest of its allies in the Senate,” he said in a Messenger chat.

Two members of the committee — Mr. Estrada and Mr. Escudero — have been linked to allegations tied to the flood control controversy.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” C. Remulla on Tuesday said plunder charges would be filed against Mr. Estrada, possibly this week.

Mr. Estrada has denied involvement, citing findings from the Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office showing he had no flood control insertions in the 2025 national budget.

Senator Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva, who sits as an ex-officio member of the committee in his capacity as acting majority leader, is also expected to face plunder complaints related to the flood control issue within the next two weeks.

Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan, the country’s anti-graft court, has issued a precautionary hold departure order against Mr. Marcoleta over alleged campaign donations worth P75 million in 2025.

Mr. Juliano said the panel could have gained more credibility through a cross-party arrangement involving at least one minority bloc member.

“It would have looked more credible if there was a cross-the-aisle arrangement,” he said.

Mr. Sison said another Senate leadership change remains possible given the narrow numerical gap between the majority and minority blocs.

With Senator Ronald M. dela Rosa back in hiding amid an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, the majority bloc effectively holds 12 members against the minority’s 11 senators.

“This scenario is highly probable due to the current issues facing certain senators of the majority bloc,” Mr. Sison said, adding that the impeachment proceedings against Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio could add further political pressure on the Senate leadership.