Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Sunday drew on history as he vigorously defended his integrity against the baseless insinuations of disgraced ex-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, recalling how similar attacks against him eventually collapsed under the weight of the truth.

Lacson recalled the politically motivated disinformation campaign waged against him during the Arroyo administration, with his principal accusers eventually retracting their allegations and apologizing.

Earlier Sunday, Lacson said he was counting informants and witnesses willing to provide information and evidence that could put Cayetano behind bars after, he said, the disgraced ex-Senate leader crossed the line by attacking his integrity.

“Memories bring me back to 2001 when then newly installed President GMA (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) unleashed the massive resources of her administration to accuse me, a newly-elected senator, of amassing ill-gotten wealth from illegal drugs and stashing unimaginable amounts of money in some foreign banks,” he said on X.

“I didn’t back down and proved them wrong – going as far as publicly challenging my accusers by signing a formal waiver to open my bank accounts,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Binalikan ang Kasaysayan sa Pagtatanggol sa Kanyang Integridad vs Walang Batayang mga Paratang ng Disgrasyadong Ex-SP Cayetano

Memories bring me back to 2001 when then newly installed President GMA unleashed the massive resources of her administration to accuse me, a newly-elected senator, of amassing ill-gotten wealth from illegal drugs and stashing unimaginable amounts of money in some foreign banks.…

— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) July 19, 2026

Lacson recalled that while the smear campaigns during the Arroyo administration initially misled some people, they ultimately collapsed because he stood his ground and continued to confront the allegations with the truth.

Eventually, his principal accusers including the late Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief B/Gen. Victor Corpus and Angelo “Ador” Mawanay retracted their claims and apologized.

Mrs. Arroyo herself later acknowledged that she unjustly accused him of various crimes based on false information she had received. Lacson said he had forgiven Mrs. Arroyo long ago, though he has not forgotten what happened.

“Long and short, the main characters – the late BGen Victor Corpus, Ador Mawanay, etc. retracted and even publicly apologized,” Lacson said.

He added he remains steadfast in defending his integrity from such attacks, stressing that this is his most cherished value.

“Integrity is my most precious inheritance from my late parents, despite our poverty – not through lectures and reminders, but by the power of their own examples,” he added.

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Lacson, Binalikan ang Kasaysayan sa Pagtatanggol sa Kanyang Integridad vs Walang Batayang mga Paratang ng Disgrasyadong Ex-SP Cayetano

Binalikan ni Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Linggo ang kasaysayan habang mariin niyang ipinagtatanggol ang kanyang integridad laban sa mga walang batayang paratang ni disgrasyadong ex-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.

Inalala ni Lacson kung paanong nabigo din ang mga kahalintulad na pag-atake laban sa kanya noong administrasyong Arroyo dahil nanaig ang katotohanan – at ang mga nag-akusa sa kanya ay kalauna’y binawi ang kanilang mga paratang at humingi ng paumanhin.

Binanggit ni Lacson na binibilang niya ang mga impormante at testigo na handang magbigay ng impormasyon at ebidensiyang maaaring magpakulong kay Cayetano, matapos niyang inatake ang kanyang integridad, na itinuturing niyang pinakamahalaga niyang yaman.

“Memories bring me back to 2001 when then newly installed President GMA (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) unleashed the massive resources of her administration to accuse me, a newly-elected senator, of amassing ill-gotten wealth from illegal drugs and stashing unimaginable amounts of money in some foreign banks,” aniya sa X.

“I didn’t back down and proved them wrong – going as far as publicly challenging my accusers by signing a formal waiver to open my bank accounts,” dagdag niya.

Inalala ni Lacson na bagama’t may ilang nalinlang sa simula ng mga paninira laban sa kanya noong administrasyong Arroyo, tuluyan ding nabigo ang mga ito dahil matatag siyang nanindigan at patuloy na hinarap ang mga akusasyon sa pamamagitan ng katotohanan.

Kalaunan, ang kanyang mga pangunahing nag-akusa, kabilang ang yumaong dating pinuno ng Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines na si B/Gen. Victor Corpus at si Angelo “Ador” Mawanay, ay binawi ang kanilang mga paratang at humingi ng paumanhin.

Mismong si Gng. Arroyo ay umamin na mali ang naging pag-akusa niya kay Lacson ng iba’t ibang krimen batay sa maling impormasyong kanyang natanggap. Sinabi ni Lacson na matagal na niyang pinatawad si Gng. Arroyo, bagama’t hindi niya nalilimutan ang mga nangyari.

“Long and short, the main characters – the late BGen Victor Corpus, Ador Mawanay, etc. retracted and even publicly apologized,” ani Lacson.

Idinagdag niyang nananatili siyang matatag sa pagtatanggol sa kanyang integridad laban sa mga ganitong pag-atake, at iginiit na ito ang kanyang pinakamahalagang pinahahalagahan.

“Integrity is my most precious inheritance from my late parents, despite our poverty – not through lectures and reminders, but by the power of their own examples,” dagdag niya.

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