Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Thursday emphasized the importance of keeping discussions with Senate colleagues focused on issues.
Lacson said he has no problem supporting fellow senators on certain matters and disagreeing on others, so long as they maintain mutual respect and keep the debates professional.
“We don’t have problems with each other because we are focused on issues, though it is sad when the exchanges become personal. But that is how it is in the Senate – we may have clashing opinions at times, but it does not affect the way we tackle issues,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.
“We should have no problem with this approach, provided we make sure things don’t get foul or personal,” he added.
In Filipino: Lacson, Iginiit ang Issue-Based na Pakikipag-ugnayan sa Kapwa Senador
He cited his exchange Wednesday with Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who in a privilege speech sounded the alarm over the growing number of key government agencies led by “acting” Cabinet secretaries and not duly confirmed ones.
Lacson supported Marcoleta’s stand as he noted he had reminded Executive Secretary Ralph Recto to seek ad interim appointments for Cabinet members so the Commission on Appointments can act on them. Lacson noted at least seven Cabinet secretaries are working in an acting capacity.
Only last week, Lacson called out Marcoleta’s presentation to the media of a “minority report” on the flood control scandal, before the Blue Ribbon Committee could come up with its partial committee report.
Marcoleta’s privilege speech on acting Cabinet secretaries was referred to the Blue Ribbon Committee chaired by Lacson as the primary committee, and the Committee on Constitutional Amendments as the secondary committee.
“Sen. Risa Hontiveros, my seatmate, remarked that this was a reconciliation by referral,” Lacson said.
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Lacson, Iginiit ang Issue-Based na Pakikipag-ugnayan sa Kapwa Senador
Iginiit ni Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Huwebes ang kahalagahan ng pagpapanatiling issue-based na talakayan sa mga kasamahan niya sa Senado.
Ani Lacson, wala siyang problema sa pagsuporta sa mga kapwa senador sa ilang isyu at sa hindi pagsang-ayon sa iba, basta’t pinananatili ang respeto at nananatiling propesyonal ang talakayan.
“Wala namang kaming problema kasi issue lang naman ang pinag-uusapan namin. Medyo malungkot lang yung sa personal. Pero alam mo ganyan naman kami sa Senado. Pagka medyo magkasalungat ang aming mga opinion, minsan nagkakapikunan, pero pagdating sa trabaho sa Senado, wala namang effect yan,” aniya sa panayam sa DZMM.
“Wala naman sigurong problema, huwag lang masyadong magkapikunan at magkapersonalan,” dagdag niya.
Binanggit niya ang interaksyon nila ni Sen. Rodante Marcoleta nitong Miyerkules, kung saan nagbabala si Marcoleta sa privilege speech tungkol sa dumadaming ahensya ng gobyerno na pinamumunuan ng mga “acting” sa halip na duly confirmed na Cabinet secretaries.
Sinang-ayunan ni Lacson ang paninindigan ni Marcoleta at binanggit na kanyang pinaalalahanan si Executive Secretary Ralph Recto na humingi ng ad interim appointments para sa mga Cabinet members upang maaksyunan ng Commission on Appointments. Ayon kay Lacson, hindi bababa sa pitong Cabinet secretaries ang kasalukuyang naglilingkod sa acting capacity.
Noong nakaraang linggo lamang, binatikos ni Lacson ang pagpapakita ni Marcoleta sa media ng isang “minority report” tungkol sa flood control scandal bago pa makabuo ang Blue Ribbon Committee ng kanilang partial committee report.
Ang privilege speech ni Marcoleta tungkol sa acting Cabinet secretaries ay inirefer sa Blue Ribbon Committee na pinamumunuan ni Lacson bilang primary committee, at sa Committee on Constitutional Amendments bilang secondary committee.
“Nagbiro si Sen. Risa Hontiveros, kasi seatmate ko siya, sabi niya ito ang tinatawag na reconciliation by referral,” dagdag ni Lacson.
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