Senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson’s crusade against corruption may no longer be as lonely as before, after he received pledges and shows of support from the business community – including the chamber of commerce in Imus, Cavite.
Former Imus councilor Corazon “Baby” del Mundo, now with the Imus City Chamber of Commerce, gave this assurance to Lacson Tuesday afternoon in an open forum with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
“You are a rare breed, Senator. The whole Imus City Chamber of Commerce is here now, there are 15 of us. We promise you it will not be a lonely fight for you,” del Mundo told Lacson in a mix of English and Filipino.
“We believe in you, Senator,” she added.
Related: Ping Lacson, Nakuha ang Suporta ng Business Community sa Krusada Kontra Korapsyon
Many PCCI members warmly welcomed Lacson and his advocacy, applauding when Lacson said he will continue what he did when he was in the Senate for three terms, of acting as a watchdog of the budget.
Lacson had narrated how he uncovered an P8.3 billion appropriation involving the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)’s budget for 2017 – and introducing an amendment to remove it – despite lobbying from the congressmen concerned.
The senators eventually agreed to put the amount in the free tertiary education measure that was to become a law in 2017.
Before the open forum, PCCI Chairman Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. lauded Lacson for being “a cut above the rest” with his “long and distinguished career in public service.”
“He makes us proud to be Filipinos (with his) untainted record of integrity, honesty and hard work,” Ortiz-Luis said of Lacson, who he added is “not one to make grand promises and speeches, but delivers results when they matter.”
In his speech, Lacson had detailed his lonely crusade against corruption, particularly the pork barrel system, whose abolition he first sought in a 2003 privilege speech.
Lacson narrated how his voice was heard – but “quickly buried deep down the dustbin of the Senate archives” until 10 years later when the pork barrel scam involving Janet Lim-Napoles exploded in 2013.
He also promised the PCCI he will continue to be a voice against corruption, “no matter how small and insignificant to some of our countrymen.”
“Ako pa rin ang magiging boses, no matter how small and insignificant to some of our countrymen upang labanan ang katiwalian sa pamahalaan (I will continue to be a voice, no matter how small and insignificant to some of our countrymen, to fight corruption in government),” he said.
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Ping Lacson, Nakuha ang Suporta ng Business Community sa Krusada Kontra Korapsyon
Hindi na nag-iisa si dating senador at 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson sa kanyang krusada kontra korapsyon, matapos makuha niya ang suporta ng business community, kasama ang chamber of commerce ng Imus sa Cavite.
Tiniyak ni dating Imus councilor Corazon “Baby” del Mundo, na ngayo’y nasa Imus City Chamber of Commerce, ang suportang ito kay Lacson nitong Martes sa open forum kasama ang Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
“Bihira ang katulad ninyo, Senator. The whole Imus City Chamber of Commerce is here now, there are 15 of us. We promise you it will not be a lonely fight for you,” ani del Mundo kay Lacson.
“Kami naniniwala sa inyo Senator,” dagdag niya.
Mainit na pagtanggap ang nakuha ni Lacson sa mga miyembro ng PCCI, na pumalakpak matapos sabihin ni Lacson na itutuloy niya ang ginagawa niya sa tatlong termino niya sa Senado noon – na maging bantay ng kaban ng bayan.
Ikinuwento rin ni Lacson kung paano niya nabuking ang P8.3-bilyong appropriation na sangkot ang budget ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) para sa 2017 – at pagtanggal niya rito sa kabila ng pag-lobby mula sa mga congressmen na sangkot.
Pumayag ang mga senador noon na ilipat ang P8.3 bilyon sa free tertiary education na naging batas noong 2017.
Bago ang open forum, pinuri ni PCCI Chairman Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. si Lacson dahil siya ay “a cut above the rest” o angat sa iba dahil sa kanyang track record sa serbisyo publiko.
“He makes us proud to be Filipinos (with his) untainted record of integrity, honesty and hard work,” ani Ortiz-Luis tungkol kay Lacson, na ayon sa kanya ay hindi gumagawa ng pangako pero “delivers results when they matter.”
Sa kanyang talumpati, dinetalye ni Lacson kung paano siya nag-iisa laban sa katiwalian at sa paglaban sa pork barrel system, na nais niyang buwagin sa privilege speech noong 2003.
Kinwento niya na hindi siya pinakinggan hanggang 2013, kung kailan sumabog ang kontrobersyng pork barrel scam na kasangkot si Janet Lim-Napoles.
Nangako si Lacson sa PCCI na patuloy siyang magiging boses laban sa korapsyon, “no matter how small and insignificant to some of our countrymen.”
“Ako pa rin ang magiging boses, no matter how small and insignificant to some of our countrymen upang labanan ang katiwalian sa pamahalaan,” aniya.
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