FACT CHECK: Lacson did not demand Marcos’ resignation

Claim: Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to resign immediately over the flood control corruption controversy. 

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The YouTube video containing the claim has 6,200 views, 391 likes, and 69 comments as of writing. It was uploaded on a YouTube channel claiming to be a news outlet, which has 170,000 subscribers.

The title in the video states: “Heto na! Bumaliktad umamin na! Lacson ginulat ang lahat! Matinding panawagan Marcos resign now!” 

(Here it is! Lacson shocked everyone after allegedly making a complete turnaround and calling for Marcos to resign now!)

In the video, the narrator says it is time for Lacson to clear his name and reveal who is truly behind the suffering of Filipinos, citing the senator’s statement that he would not protect Marcos if evidence implicates him in the corruption scandal. 

The facts: Lacson did not call for Marcos’ resignation. There is no verified statement, interview, report, or official record from the Senate or Lacson’s official accounts showing that he made such a demand.

While it is true that Lacson said he would not shield Marcos if evidence directly implicates him in corruption, his remarks were made in the context of the Senate’s investigation into the allegedly anomalous multibillion-peso flood control projects. In a dzBB interview on April 26, Lacson said, “If the evidence points to the President, we can’t do anything about that.” 

Lacson, however, stressed the distinction between sworn testimony and unverified online allegations. He said claims circulating on social media, including accusations made by former congressman Zaldy Co, cannot be treated as evidence unless formally testified to under oath and supported by documentation. According to Lacson, the Senate blue ribbon committee cannot adopt statements not made under oath as part of its findings.

Flood control probe: The Senate blue ribbon committee, which Lacson chairs, has held several hearings on the flood control corruption scandal. On May 5, Lacson delivered the partial committee report despite lacking enough signatures for formal filing. 

In a privilege speech, Lacson said the report was based on hearings conducted since August 2025 and aimed to address public demands for transparency on alleged corruption in flood control projects. (READ: Lacson defends flood control probe report amid lack of support from colleagues)

Only seven senators signed the more than 400-page report, short of the nine signatures required. 

The report alleged systemic corruption involving ghost and substandard flood control projects, kickbacks, and collusion between officials and contractors. Lacson also pushed for reforms, including stricter procurement rules, stronger oversight, whistleblower protection, and the possible removal of unprogrammed appropriations linked to anomalous projects. – Marjuice Destinado/Rappler.com

Marjuice Destinado is a senior political science student at Cebu Normal University (CNU) and an alumna of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2025.

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