In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– National ID system
– NPA attacks
– impeachment matters
Quotes from the interview…
On the chances of the National ID measure being passed:
“Malaki ang chance. Unang una, third and final reading na sa House of Representatives, and ide-deliberate sa Senate. On Monday, tatawag ako isa pang hearing para marinig the other side, ang mga oppositors naman. I intend to come up with a committee report pagbalik namin sa January. Give or take first quarter next year, pwede maipasa ito on second and third reading.”
“I will make it a commitment to pass it at least sa first quarter.”
Timetable for full implementation of a national ID system:
“Full implementation let’s look at India or Indonesia. It took them 5 years to fully implement. In our case, because we’re trying this for the first time, baka it may take longer. Depende sa technology na available. Ang budget, I think the president now, the current administration is in full support, unlike in previous administrations na talagang bogged down lagi, di nga nagko-committee hearing.”
Advantages of a national ID system:
“Maraming gamit sa crime detection and prevention. Sa (paglaban sa) terrorism, tapos pag-transact ng business with private institutions like sa bank loans. Di ba tayo pag nag-open ng account hihingan tayo ng 2 IDs? So ngayon kanina discussed baka pwede ito gawing substitute sa passport natin pauwi. An one step forward baka pwede magkaroon ng e-gates. Pag swipe mo ng national ID mo, out you go, di ka na pipila sa immigration.”
On Atty Gadon’s reported claims:
“Huwag kayo maniwala masyado kay Atty Gadon. Puro hearsay ang kanya, lalong hearsay pa ito. Yan nga testify niya sa House, puro hearsay ito tsismis lalong hearsay baka triple hearsay yan. In the first place wala akong alam na kumakausap sa senador, wala akong nabalitaan. Maybe ito ang tact niya to put the senators on the spot if and when the articles of impeachment will be transmitted to us. Parang he’s already putting us on the spot para mag-convict kami rather than acquit.”
“Pagdating niya rito we’ll ask him kung sino tinutukoy niyang senaador sino nagsabi sa kanya saan niya nabalitaan. Sa ngayon ayoko pa maniwala sa kanya.”
On the NPA’s intensified attacks:
“Pagpapakita ng lakas, ng pwersa. Kasi pinutol na ang peace talks. At may instructions ang presidente so siguro sinasabi nila the best defense is offense. Kaya may escalation ng attacks at ambuscades.”
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