At the Kapihan sa Senado forum, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– the Marawi crisis
– the relocation of the Senate
– no plan to investigate incident at Resorts World Manila
– bill to remove conflict of interest at PAGCOR
– case vs Marvin Marcos and co. over Mayor Espinosa killing
– National ID system
Quotes from the interview…
On pork in the 2017 budget:
“Some congressmen talked to me, even at the late hours of the night, nakikiusap kung pwede ibalik sa DPWH. I stood my ground, sabi ko hindi pupwede because we will all be violating the organic act.”
“Marami pang items doon. And it will take us a day-long session para sabihing ituro ko sa inyong lahat kung kanino ang mga pork doon. But we were able to identify most of the insertions, most of the pork allocations sa 2017 budget. But nobody will admit it. Pag naked eye, pag tiningnan ang budget book di talaga makita because the pork allocations are inserted and craftily hidden
in many agencies.”
“Now we should leave it to their individual consciences kung anong in-insert nila. Kasi may institutional amendments at personal amendments. Personal meaning ito ang mga pet project nila pero sa kanila kung talagang intended sa project or partly for something else. You know what I mean when I say partly intended for something else.”
“Traditionally DPWH, DSWD, DepEd, DOH. Yan ang mga pinanggagalingan. Ito ang favorite parking places, parking areas, ng pork.”
First 6 months of the Senate:
“I think we had a good 6 months, considering we were engrossed in the budget deliberation meron pa ring mga production na nangyari. Maraming nakasalang na bills na madali naman ipasa early next year dahil nasponsor na, sa floor, some are going through interpellation. I just hope when we return in January 1-2 months give or take baka may maipasa nang mga importanteng pieces of legislation.”
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