The Senate is determined to prioritize the passage of bills enabling the Constitution’s mandate against political dynasties and reforming the party-list system to stop corruption, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.
Lacson pointed out that political dynasties had been linked to many anomalous flood control and infrastructure projects, with relatives succeeding each other in Congress.
“We’re all on the spot here. Many anomalous projects had been linked to political dynasties. Netizens noted political dynasties are a factor in anomalous flood control projects because family members succeed each other in Congress,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DWIZ radio.
“So when we resume session in January we will make sure these bills are passed on third reading. It’s just a matter of reconciling the various versions of the measure,” he added.
In Filipino: Lacson: Senado, Ipinaprayoridad ang Anti-Dynasty at Party-List Reform Bills para Sugpuin ang Korapsyon
When asked if passing the anti-dynasty bill would be a big factor in stopping corruption, Lacson said: “I believe it will play a big role to end corruption.”
Lacson noted that he filed an anti-dynasty bill as one of his priority measures. His version covers up to the second degree of consanguinity and affinity.
He also said he is confident many lawmakers would support the passage of such a bill even if they would be affected, as they are now on the spot amid public outrage over the corruption behind anomalous projects.
Lacson also voiced support for the passage of a bill to reform the party-list system, to make sure it benefits the truly marginalized sectors and is not abused.
He noted that many party list groups turned out to have big-time contractors involved in corruption.
“The party list system should not have members who are billionaires,” he said. “I hope we can pass the bills to correct our system before the 21st Congress.”
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Lacson: Senado, Ipinaprayoridad ang Anti-Dynasty at Party-List Reform Bills para Sugpuin ang Korapsyon
Tiniyak ni Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson na ipaprayoridad ng Senado ang pagpasa ng mga panukalang batas na magpapatupad sa probisyon ng Konstitusyon laban sa political dynasties at magrereporma sa party-list system upang matigil ang korapsyon.
Binigyang-diin ni Lacson nitong Sabado na maraming kuwestiyonableng flood control at iba pang proyekto sa imprastraktura ang iniuugnay sa mga political dynasty, kung saan nagpapalitan lamang ng puwesto sa Kongreso ang magkakamag-anak.
“We’re all on the spot here. Kasi ang pinag-ugatan ng mga anomalous projects, itong political dynasty din. Parang magkamaganak sila, ang anomalous projects dahil sa political dynasty. Dinugtong na ng netizens. Nakita nilang isang culprit sa anomalous FCPs dahil sa political dynasty kasi palit-palit sila,” ani Lacson sa panayam sa DWIZ radio.
“So pagbalik namin sa Enero tuloy tuloy yan hanggang maipasa on third reading. Kanya kanyang version lang yan ang kailangan ayusin ang mga version,” dagdag niya.
Nang tanungin kung malaking hakbang ba ang pagpasa ng anti-dynasty bill para mapigil ang korapsyon, sinabi ni Lacson: “Sa tingin ko malaki, malaking bagay para mabawasan ang katiwalian.”
Ani Lacson, naghain siya ng sariling bersyon ng anti-dynasty bill bilang isa sa kanyang mga prayoridad, na sumasaklaw hanggang ikalawang antas ng consanguinity at affinity.
Dagdag niya, kumpiyansa siyang marami sa mga mambabatas ang susuporta sa pagpasa ng naturang panukala kahit pa maapektuhan ang ilan sa kanila, lalo na ngayon na nasa ilalim ng matinding pagbabantay ng publiko ang Kongreso bunsod ng galit ng mamamayan sa mga anomalya sa mga proyekto.
Suportado din ni Lacson ang pagpasa ng panukalang magrereporma sa party-list system upang matiyak na tunay na mapapakinabangan ito ng mga sektor na marhinalisado at hindi maaabuso.
Binanggit niya na maraming party-list groups ang lumabas na may kaugnayan sa malalaking kontratista na nasasangkot sa korapsyon.
“Di pwedeng haluan. Alam natin ang marginalized na di marginalized kundi bilyonaryo,” ani Lacson. “Sana ma-correct at sana bago pumasok sa 21st Congress maayos ang batas na yan ang priority measures.”
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