Here you can find official photos, videos, speeches and statements of Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson. The #PingBills section contains bills, resolutions and committee reports by Sen. Lacson in the 18th Congress. The #Usaping Katotohanan section seeks to correct misimpressions about Sen. Lacson and his advocacies.
Sen. Lacson chaired the hearing for the 2020 budgets of the Southern Philippines Development Authority, Mindanao Development Authority, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process.
Lacson advised the SPDA to find ways to make its revenue-generating projects more competitive, and consider privatizing or offering for sale the projects that are losing money for government. He urged the OPAPP to coordinate with the appropriate agencies on funding and security of projects in conflict-affected areas.
Meanwhile, Sen. Lacson lauded the MinDA for its fruit festival program bringing Mindanao farmers’ produce to other parts of the country, and vice-versa. “That’s very creative and innovative,” he said.
He indicated the additional funding requests that can be justified could be addressed via “pork” funds that may be found in – and excised from – the proposed 2020 budget. “Maghahanap ako ng pork na makakaltasan,” he said.
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “‘Maghahanap Ako ng Pork na Makakaltasan’: Sen. Lacson Chairs the 2020 Budget Hearings for OPAPP, SPDA and MinDA”
Sen. Lacson joins colleagues at the necrological rites for the late former Sen. Rene Espina, at the Senate Session Hall.
To the Inquirer: Please allow us to set the record straight regarding Solita Monsod’s Sept. 14 column, “Three against Leila,” where she insinuated that Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson had an “axe to grind” against Sen. Leila M. de Lima as his motive in inviting former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) OIC Rafael Ragos and Jovencio Ablen Jr. of the National Bureau of Investigation as resource persons to the Senate hearing on corruption at the BuCor last Sept. 12.
Continue reading “Lacson: Senate probe about drugs and corruption, not De Lima [Inquirer]”
At the hearings for the budgets of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Dangerous Drugs Board for 2020, Sen. Lacson stressed the need for preemptive action against the recycling of seized illegal drugs, after learning the extent of the problem. “We have to find a resolution to this festering issue. Social menace ito, di lang law enforcement problem. If we have P22 billion worth of drugs seized, P20 billion of which is shabu and as far back as 9 years ago we really have a serious problem.”
In an interview with media after the hearing, Sen. Lacson also cited other preventive measures such as joint operations, and closer coordination with the judiciary in destroying illegal drugs seized as evidence.
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “‘Body Cams vs Drug Recycling’: Sen. Lacson Chairs the 2020 Budget Hearings for PDEA and DDB”
In an interview on DZBB, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– technology-based solutions to stop corruption at BuCor
– proposed legislation to address BuCor woes
– accusations that the probe is targeting Sen de Lima
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB: Technology and Other Solutions vs BuCor Woes; National ID vs Graft | Sept. 15, 2019”
In an interview on GMA’s ‘Unang Hirit,’ DZRH, and DZMM, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– ‘bottomless pit’ of corruption at BuCor
– ‘friendship’ with the President
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “Interviews on GMA, DZRH, DZMM: ‘Bottomless Pit’ of Corruption at BuCor | Sept. 13, 2019”
At the fifth Senate hearing on the irregularities at the Bureau of Corrections, Sen. Lacson bared at least seven moneymaking schemes inside the New Bilibid Prison, both petty and large-scale. “Maraming issues. Pagpasok ng contraband. May ‘special request.’ Pagpasok ng ’tilapia.’ Pagpasok ng extended period ng visitation, may bayad.”
While BuCor legal division chief Anthony Frederic Santos confirmed there was corruption in the NBP, with the payoffs depending on the inmate’s ‘level,’ Lacson pointed out the committee also invited former BuCor OIC Rafael Ragos and NBI intelligence agent Jovencio Ablen Jr to give the Senate panel a clearer picture of corruption at BuCor. “The moneymaking scheme has been there since time immemorial,” Sen. Lacson said. “(This Senate investigation is) with the end in view to resolve these issues and come up with legislation to (stop) these malpractices,” he added.
Lacson also asked BuCor OIC Melvin Ramon Buenafe if the situation in BuCor is still reversible, since some inmates have “good command and control over their fellow inmates, even BuCor employees.” He said “surgical action” is needed especially to stop practices like letting inmates out overnight to commit crimes, and get back in.
Related:
At the Hearing on the Release of Heinous Crime Convicts via GCTA (Sept. 2)
#PingSays: Sec. Panelo’s ‘Referral’ for ex-Mayor Sanchez; Sanchez Release and GCTA Issue (Sept. 3)
‘Bakit Kailangan Madaliin?’ BuCor Execs Grilled over Hurry to Release ‘Special’ Convicts (Sept. 5)
Facebooking from Maximum Security: Mobile Phones, Drugs and Firearms in Bilibid (Sept. 9)
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “‘TALAMAK ANG KORAPSYON!’ 7 Major Moneymaking Schemes at Bilibid Bared”
At the Commission on Appointments, Sen. Lacson threw his support behind the confirmation of former Senate colleague Gregorio Honasan II as Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) Secretary. “A distinguished Cavalier, Mistah, colleague, friend, brother. I need not say anything more.”
*****
“Duterte OK with cops accepting ‘gifts’ out of gratitude, earning extra cash from video-karera” – Is this not graft Mr President? Pray tell, who is ignorant?
The Senate media and I know that the President was exaggerating when he said that I have the penchant to comment on every issue.
Aside from from my Twitter posts, I only comment on issues when asked, and not even all the time. I play ‘dedma’ when I am not familiar with the issue. I may not be a lawyer but I know how to read and understand the law that I read, or ask my lawyer-staff when I don’t.
Having said that, the President says he is fighting corruption. I also say I am on a crusade in exposing corruption in government. If we are not complementing each other in this regard, there must be a problem somewhere.
As for his other claim, I am not even sure if I want to run for President, so I do not know what he is talking about.
*****
In an interview, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– up to P2M ‘admission fee’ and P30K daily ‘board and lodging’ at Bilibid Hospital?
– ‘inconsistencies’ in statements of some BuCor officials
– preventive suspension of BuCor officials by the Ombudsman
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PingSays: Up to P2 million ‘Admission Fee’ for Bilibid Hospital? | Sept. 10, 2019”
