As a taxpayer, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson shares the frustration and anger of fellow Filipino citizens over how their taxes were lost to corruption, including the one behind anomalous flood control projects.
Lacson, who also chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee conducting an investigation on the matter, said Saturday that he continues to follow the evidence that he hopes will lead to the proverbial big fish.
“I understand our citizens’ frustration and anger and I share it. I am also frustrated and angry because we pay our taxes and we see what some corrupt officials did to it,” he said in Filipino in an interview on DWIZ radio.
“There is no other way to go but to ensure a logical conclusion, and the Senate under Senate President Vicente Sotto III through the Blue Ribbon Committee is fully committed to support and complement the mandate of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to bring to justice all those who must be made to pay for their sins against the Filipino people,” he added. “We are aware that our citizens will not settle for district engineers like the Brice Hernandezes and Henry Alcantaras of this world.”
In Filipino: Taxpayer Ping, Kaagapay sa Galit ng mga Pilipino sa Flood Control Project Mess
Earlier, Lacson stressed the need for a logical conclusion to the issue where those found accountable are prosecuted, convicted and jailed.
Lacson maintained that as chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee investigating the issue, he will go only where the evidence takes him.
“I cannot follow any direction other than where the evidence leads me. It is my job to follow the evidence, and I will do that,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lacson hopes the protest actions against corruption that are scheduled on Sunday will be peaceful.
Several groups have organized protest actions on Sunday against the corruption behind the flood control project mess.
“I just hope the actions will not become violent,” Lacson said.
*****
Taxpayer Ping, Kaagapay sa Galit ng mga Pilipino sa Flood Control Project Mess
Bilang kapwa nagbabayad ng buwis, galit at dismayado din si Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson sa pagkakalustay ng buwis sa korapsyon, kabilang na ang katiwalian sa likod ng mga maanomalyang flood control projects.
Ani Lacson, na namumuno rin sa Senate Blue Ribbon Committee na nag-iimbestiga sa bagay na ito, patuloy niyang sinusundan ang ebidensya na umaasa siyang magtuturo sa tinatawag na “big fish.”
“Naintindihan ko lahat ng kanilang frustration and anger and I share it. Ako rin frustrated at galit kasi nagbabayad tayo ng tax tapos ganyan ginawa,” pahayag niya sa panayam sa DWIZ radio.
“There is no other way to go but to ensure a logical conclusion, and the Senate under Senate President Vicente Sotto III through the Blue Ribbon Committee is fully committed to support and complement the mandate of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to bring to justice all those who must be made to pay for their sins against the Filipino people,” dagdag niya. “We are aware that our citizens will not settle for district engineers like the Brice Hernandezes and Henry Alcantaras of this world.”
Diniin ni Lacson na kailangan ng “logical conclusion” sa isyu kung saan ang mga sangkot ay kakasuhan, hahatulan at ikukulong.
Iginiit din ni Lacson na bilang chairman ng Blue Ribbon Committee na nagiimbestiga sa isyu, ebidensya lamang ang pagbabasehan ng magiging aksyon niya.
“Walang ibang tatahaking direction kundi kung saan ako dadalhin ng ebidensya … Trabaho ko sundan ang ebidensya at doon ako sumunod,” dagdag niya.
Samantala, umaasa si Lacson na magiging mapayapa ang mga kilos-protesta laban sa korapsyon na nakatakda ngayong Linggo.
Ilang grupo ang nag-organisa ng protesta ngayong Linggo laban sa korapsyon sa likod ng flood control project mess.
“Huwag lang mag-escalate na maging magulo,” ani Lacson.
*****