Manila: Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) chair Panfilo Lacson stated on Wednesday that he is open to suggestions from members concerning the panel's draft partial committee report on the flood control issue.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lacson expressed willingness to consider recommendations from BRC members, provided they align with practical realities. These realities include ongoing preliminary investigations by the Department of Justice and Ombudsman, which the partial committee report has reiterated as part of its recommendations.

The committee's members plan to discuss the draft report following the panel's rules. It has been noted that several senators prefer to thoroughly study and understand the report's contents before signing, due to the complexity and sensitivity of the involved issues and personalities.

The Blue Ribbon Committee consists of 17 regular members and three ex-officio members. A report requires at least 11 signatures to be considered an official committee report eligible for plenary consideration.

Lacson emphasized that without the necessary number of signatories, the committee cannot proceed with a valid partial report. He referenced the committee's rules, which mandate that all reports must be discussed, decided, and approved by a majority of the members before submission to the Senate. Members are permitted to file concurring or dissenting reports within 72 hours after approval.