Lacson Bill Strengthens Ombudsman’s Anti-Corruption Powers with Marshall Service

To strengthen the Office of the Ombudsman in fulfilling its constitutional mandate to fight corruption, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson has filed a bill creating a law enforcement service that would empower it to effect arrests and detention, searches and seizures in accordance with the law – and said he is prepared to expedite its passage.

Lacson said this is one of the ways to show his “appreciation and sympathy” for the Office of the Ombudsman after seeing the challenges it faces in probing various cases involving flood control, reclamation and other infrastructure projects.

In Filipino: Lacson Bill, Palalakasin ang Anti-Corruption Powers ng Ombudsman sa Pamamagitan ng Marshall Service

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Lacson Resolution Seeks Probe into EDSA Rehab Projects After Fresh Potholes Emerge

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is seeking an investigation into the rehabilitation and repair of Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) after fresh potholes emerged on newly repaired portions of the highway following recent monsoon rains.

Lacson’s Senate Resolution 594 directs the Senate Committee on Public Works to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation with the end in view of reviewing design and engineering standards and ensuring accountability in public infrastructure.

“For nearly a week, persistent southwest monsoon (habagat) rains have drenched parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila; damaging several main thoroughfares, including recently rehabilitated sections of EDSA. The presence of fresh potholes means the newly repaired avenue will already require another round of maintenance,” he said in his resolution.

“Rapid deterioration of recently rehabilitated roads, most notably EDSA, just months after completion exposes deep-seated flaws in the planning, design, construction, and management of high-cost public infrastructure projects,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson Resolution, Sisiyasatin ang EDSA Rehab Projects Matapos Muling Lumitaw ang mga Lubak

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Lacson Bills Seek Higher Retirement Age for PNP, BJMP, BFP Personnel

Two bills filed by Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson seek to raise the compulsory retirement age for personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) as well as the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) from 56 to 57.

In Senate Bills 2395 and 2396, Lacson said the proposed adjustment would allow the three agencies to maximize the expertise, leadership and institutional knowledge of their senior officers, while giving them more time to pass these on to younger personnel.

“This bill, which seeks to increase the retirement age of the members of the PNP to fifty-seven (57) years old, intends to give the PNP leadership more time to implement their intended institutional reforms and for the institution to maximize the years-worth of knowledge and skills of their personnel,” he said in Senate Bill 2395, which seeks to increase the retirement age for PNP uniformed personnel from 56 to 57.

Lacson added that Senate Bill 2396, which similarly seeks to increase the compulsory retirement age for BJMP and BFP members to 57, aims “to give the senior officers of the BJMP and BFP the opportunity to maximize their expertise, leadership, and institutional knowledge while providing additional time to impart the same to the younger officers of the bureau.”

In Filipino: Lacson Bills, Naglalayong Itaas ang Retirement Age ng PNP, BJMP, BFP Personnel

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Lacson Files Estate Tax Amnesty Bill to Unlock Idle Assets, Boost Revenues

A bill filed by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson seeks to grant an amnesty on unpaid estate taxes covering the estates of individuals who died on or before Dec. 31, 2025, with outstanding or accrued tax liabilities as of that date.

Senate Bill 1889 aims to broaden the tax base and accelerate revenue collection, while minimizing prolonged litigation over tax liabilities. It also seeks to facilitate the reintegration of idle or previously immobilized assets to the formal economy.

“The proposed bill… seeks to enact a broader and more pragmatic Estate Tax Amnesty framework. It authorizes a one-time opportunity for estates of decedents who died on or before a specified date to settle outstanding estate tax liabilities at a uniform rate of six percent, subject to simplified documentary and procedural requirements,” he said in the proposed “Estate Tax Amnesty Act of 2026.”

In Filipino: Senate Bill ni Lacson, Hangad Ma-Unlock ang Idle Assets at Mapataas ang Kita ng Pamahalaan

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Lacson Bill Enhances Benefits, Working Conditions of Sanitation Inspectors

Sanitation inspectors – the unsung “foot soldiers” of the Department of Health who help safeguard public health at the community level – may soon get long-overdue improvements in benefits and working conditions under a bill filed by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson.

Lacson on Wednesday filed Senate Bill 1725, seeking to positively augment and improve the compensation of sanitation inspectors by modifying their salary grade schedule.

“This bill aims to professionalize the health and sanitary-related services rendered by sanitation inspectors by requiring the registration and accreditation of the sanitation inspectors to ensure the healthcare and welfare of the community,” he said in his bill titled “An Act Modifying the Salary Grade Schedule and Enhancing the Benefits of Sanitation Inspectors, Protecting their General Working Conditions, and Appropriating Funds Therefor.”

He added the bill “further intends to positively augment and improve the basic monetary compensation of sanitation inspectors by modifying the salary grade schedule for all registered sanitation inspectors nationwide and correlating the existing position titles of SIs to the next higher salary grade.”

In Filipino: Panukalang Batas ni Lacson, Pahuhusayin ang Benepisyo at Working Conditions ng mga Sanitation Inspector

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