Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson reaffirmed Saturday that evidence will remain the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s guide in probing the alleged cash delivery scheme involving former military personnel, amid comments by the Iglesia ni Cristo on the issue.
Lacson also maintained his respect for the Iglesia ni Cristo and its opinion on the issue, as he pointed out that having a different opinion does not automatically mean disrespect.
“As chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, I haven’t changed my position about being led by evidence guided only by the prudent and logical way of treating any information that comes to my attention – evaluate and validate the credibility and reliability of both the source as well as the information itself before taking action,” he said.
In FIlipino: Lacson, Muling Pinagtibay ang Evidence-Based na Imbestigasyon sa Umano’y Cash Delivery Scheme na Kinasasangkutan ng mga Ex-Militar
He referred to the statement read on television Friday by INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala renewing the call for accountability in the flood control corruption scandal, where he noted the statements of 18 former military personnel who were presented at a press conference last Feb. 24 may have proven a cash delivery scheme involving ranking officials.
Lacson reiterated his respect for the INC, adding he is forever grateful to it for supporting him in his senatorial bids in 2001, 2007 and 2016.
Also, he emphasized that having a different opinion does not mean disrespect.
Earlier, Lacson noted at least two key areas that need further checking – the amount of P805 billion allegedly delivered in cash being mathematically irreconcilable with kickbacks admitted to be facilitated and received by other personalities; and the timing of the press conference on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the EDSA-1 revolt and in the middle of the International Criminal Court’s hearings in connection with the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
“I have nothing but respect for the INC and will forever be grateful for all the times that they supported me, particularly for the three out of six election campaigns that I participated in, four of which I won,” Lacson said of the INC’s statement.
“Similarly, I respect their opinion with regard to the 18 ex-military personnel who presented themselves in an organized press conference at the Club Filipino last February 24. Let me emphasize that having a different opinion does not imply disrespect,” he added.
*****
Lacson, Muling Pinagtibay ang Evidence-Based na Imbestigasyon sa Umano’y Cash Delivery Scheme na Kinasasangkutan ng mga Ex-Militar
Muling pinagtibay ni Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Sabado na ebidensya ang mananatiling gabay ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee sa pag-iimbestiga sa umano’y cash delivery scheme na kinasasangkutan ng mga dating tauhan ng militar, sa gitna ng pahayag ng Iglesia ni Cristo kaugnay ng isyu.
Pinanindigan din ni Lacson ang kanyang paggalang sa Iglesia ni Cristo at sa pananaw nito hinggil sa usapin, sabay diin na ang pagkakaroon ng magkakaibang opinyon ay hindi nangangahulugang kawalan ng respeto.
“As chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, I haven’t changed my position about being led by evidence guided only by the prudent and logical way of treating any information that comes to my attention – evaluate and validate the credibility and reliability of both the source as well as the information itself before taking action,” he said.
Tinukoy niya ang pahayag na binasa sa telebisyon noong Biyernes ni INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala, na muling nanawagan ng pananagutan sa iskandalo ng katiwalian sa flood control. Binanggit ni Zabala na ang mga pahayag ng 18 dating militar na ipinakita sa isang press conference noong Pebrero 24 ay maaaring nagpapatunay ng cash delivery scheme na kinasasangkutan ang mga mataas na opisyal.
Muling inulit ni Lacson ang kanyang paggalang sa INC, at idinagdag na habambuhay siyang nagpapasalamat dito sa pagsuporta sa kanya sa kanyang mga kandidatura sa Senado noong 2001, 2007 at 2016.
Binigyang-diin din niya na ang pagkakaroon ng ibang pananaw ay hindi nangangahulugang kawalan ng respeto.
Nauna nang binanggit ni Lacson ang ilang mahahalagang punto na nangangailangan pa ng masusing beripikasyon — kabilang ang halagang P805 bilyon na umano’y naihatid nang cash na aniya’y maaaring hindi magkatugma sa matematika sa mga kickback na inaming pinadali at tinanggap ng iba pang personalidad; at ang timing ng press conference na isinagawa bisperas ng ika-40 anibersaryo ng EDSA-1 at kasabay ng pagdinig ng International Criminal Court kaugnay ng kampanya kontra droga ng administrasyong Duterte.
“I have nothing but respect for the INC and will forever be grateful for all the times that they supported me, particularly for the three out of six election campaigns that I participated in, four of which I won,” ani Lacson.
“Similarly, I respect their opinion with regard to the 18 ex-military personnel who presented themselves in an organized press conference at the Club Filipino last February 24. Let me emphasize that having a different opinion does not imply disrespect,” dagdag niya.
*****