In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– Senate relocation
– fate of DOJ Sec. Aguirre
– SC order on deaths related to anti-drug war
– peace efforts with CPP-NPA-NDF

Quotes from the interview… 

On the Senate’s relocation:
“Everything is on schedule. So we just hope when the 3rd regular session of the 18th Congress opens, we won’t be here anymore, we won’t be renting anymore, and we’re already in our new site in Fort Bonifacio.”
“As per timetable, matatapos ang construction December 2020. We expect to be moving to our new home by January 2021. But of course session starts after SONA.”
“(Construction starts) January 2019 up to December 2020. That’s the commitment made by the DPWH.”

On the ‘flexibility’ of designers:
“They should be flexible kasi baka matuloy ang federalism and ang Senate baka mag-expand from the present 24 to 64-65 senators. Kailangan flexible ang space kung paano gagawin.”

On reports that DOJ Sec. Aguirre may be fired:
“These are rumors. Until and unless the president himself announces, I think I should be prudent in not speculating along with the others. These are speculations.”
“I would just leave it to the appointing authority, appointing power, to determine his fate.”
“Sometimes I’m satisfied. Sometimes I’m very disappointed (with Aguirre’s performance).”

On the Supreme Court ordering the records of alleged Tokhang deaths:
“Tama lang, na ang SC nag-demand or nag-order for them to submit all the details of the more than 3,000 deaths on account of legitimate operations sa anti-drugs operations, tama lang yan. We tried during the hearings but somehow hindi sila naka-comply. But ito may contempt issue involved dito. And it’s no less than the SC that’s ordering them. So they will have to comply and they should comply.”

On other strategies in dealing with the CPP-NPA-NDF:
“History will tell us, it has become a vicious cycle. Peace talks, violations, tapos blame game, tapos peace talks na naman. Maski may ceasefire nava-violate tapos turuan. Saan ba tayo pumupunta, di ba ikot tayo ng ikot?”
“So the government should seriously consider other strategies na para ma-resolve itong how many decades, 4 decades, kasi nag-start yan 1969. So it’s about time the government should consider other options or other strategies to really end this insurgency problem. Tayo na lang ang may pinakamahabang insurgency.”
“This entails a lot of history, tapos pag-aralan natin history, saan nag-fail. There are no quick answers here.”

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