Senators Imee Marcos and Rodante Marcoleta clarified that they were not the targets of Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s sharp rebuke, after the veteran lawmaker told critics of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s flood control probe to “shut the f-up.” Both senators said they did not feel alluded to by Lacson’s remarks, despite their active participation in discussions surrounding the investigation.

MANILA, Philippines — January 21, 2026 — The controversy began during the resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings on alleged multibillion-peso anomalies in flood control projects. Committee chair and Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson opened the session with a fiery statement directed at detractors of the probe. 

“As the Chairman of this committee – I say to you: Shut the f… up!” Lacson declared, stressing that noise and criticism cannot convict or indict those responsible, only evidence can.

His remarks were widely interpreted as a response to senators who had questioned the committee’s conduct and relevance. Senator Imee Marcos, however, dismissed speculation that she was the subject of Lacson’s tirade. 

“Sa palagay ko, hindi naman ako yun. Kasi alam ng kahit sinong senador, na hindi pwedeng utusan ng kapwa nilang senador. Sa Senado, hindi naman pwede maghariharian o magreinareinahan,” Marcos said, emphasizing that no senator can lord over another in the chamber.

Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta echoed the sentiment, saying he was confident Lacson’s words were not directed at him. “Lagay ko hindi rin ako yan. Hindi rin ako yan. At alam ko hindi ako ang pinatutungkulan. Thank you. I don’t feel eluded,” Marcoleta remarked.

The exchange highlights the tension within the Senate as the flood control scandal continues to unfold. Lacson has defended the committee’s work against accusations of inefficiency, pointing to evidence gathered, cases filed, and resignations of implicated officials. 

Meanwhile, Marcos and Marcoleta have been vocal in questioning aspects of the investigation, but both insisted Lacson’s profanity-laced warning was not meant for them personally.

The incident underscores the political friction surrounding one of the biggest corruption probes in recent years, with senators balancing accountability efforts against internal disagreements. 

For Lacson, the message was clear: critics should not derail the investigation with baseless noise. For Marcos and Marcoleta, the clarification was equally important — distancing themselves from the sting of Lacson’s words while maintaining their stance in the ongoing debate.

Strong Words, Fragile Unity

The flood control probe carries real urgency. Billions are at stake, evidence is piling up, and public patience is thin. Sharp language can rally focus when distractions threaten to derail accountability.

But unity in the Senate is also a working asset. When forceful words blur targets, colleagues scramble to clarify instead of collaborate. The investigation needs discipline, not divisions that sap momentum. As Panfilo Lacson pushes for results, Imee Marcos and Rodante Marcoleta insist lines remain respected.

Urgency should sharpen institutions, not fracture them. Can the Senate keep pressure on corruption while preserving the cohesion needed to finish the job?

Image from Senata of the Philippines