Manila, Oct. 5 -- Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson is stepping down as chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee, saying some of his colleagues are disappointed with the investigation into anomalous flood control projects.

Nevertheless, he will continue to fight "a corrupt and rotten system in the misuse and abuse of public funds," according to a news release from his office Sunday.

He said no amount of criticism from "misinformed netizens and partisan sectors" can distract or pressure him from doing his job right. However, when his own peers started expressing their sentiments, he decided it would be best to vacate the post.

"Since all chairpersons of the Senate committees are elected by our peers, I serve at the pleasure of my c...