Lacson Accepts Electoral Reforms Committee Chairmanship, to Pursue Passage of Anti-Political Dynasty Bill

The passage of the Anti-Political Dynasty Act will be the priority of Sen. Panfilio “Ping” M. Lacson after he accepted on Wednesday the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation.

Lacson said the committee chairmanship was offered by Senate President Francis Escudero through Senate minority leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

“I will schedule as soon as possible my Anti-Political Dynasty bill and another bill also referred to that committee,” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson, Mamumuno sa Electoral Reforms Committee, Isusulong ang Anti-Political Dynasty Bill

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Ping Lacson to Fellow Lawmakers: Take Cue from President’s SONA Warnings on Budget, Flood Control

Members of both houses of Congress should take their cue from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Mahiya naman kayo” pronouncement in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) regarding anomalies in the government’s flood control programs and in the national budget.

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed this on Tuesday even as he said the President’s order to inventory flood control programs to see which are failures and ghost projects – as well as finding anomalous items in the budget bill – may be “tedious but workable.”

“The President capped his SONA with a pronouncement that he knows will hit his audience – that’s us lawmakers… The pronouncement that those involved in anomalies in the flood control programs and the national budget should be ashamed should cut to the bone. Those who don’t feel any shame would simply be bad to the bone,” he said in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Ping Lacson sa Kapwa Mambabatas: Bigyang Pansin ang Patama ng Pangulo sa SONA Tungkol sa Budget at Flood Control

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Ping Lacson’s Land Use Bill to Bolster Food Security, Environmental Integrity, Disaster Risk Reduction

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson has filed a bill instituting a national land use policy that will enhance sustainable development, environmental integrity, disaster risk reduction, food and water security, and equitable access to land.

In Senate Bill 400 titled “National Land Use Act of the Philippines,” Lacson also sought the establishment of a National Land Use Commission which shall serve as the policy-making and coordinating body.

“The proposed National Land Use Act represents a significant legislative effort to bring order and coherence to land use planning and management in the Philippines. The emphasis on sustainable development, and protection of critical resources mandates a long term vision for resource stewardship. If enacted, this legislation would provide a robust legal framework to guide development, enhance food and water security, mitigate disaster risks, and promote equitable and inclusive growth across the archipelago,” he said in his bill.

In Filipino: Land Use Bill ni Ping Lacson, Palalakasin ang Food Security, Environmental Integrity, at Paghanda sa Sakuna

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Ping Lacson Bill Mandates 1% Share of VAT Collections for LGU Development Projects

Local government units (LGUs) that collect their taxes efficiently may soon avail of a special fund to finance their local development projects, programs and activities, once a bill filed by Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is passed into law.

Senate Bill 405, which Lacson filed last July 9, mandates the allocation of one percent of total Value-Added Tax (VAT) collections to finance such local development projects – and could motivate other LGUs to improve their tax collection as well.

“This bill intends to incentivize local government units (LGUs) that consistently achieve their revenue collection targets and substantially contribute to the national coffers. Such incentives are designed to serve as motivation for LGUs to facilitate business operations and reduce barriers for small entrepreneurs, hence, further enhancing tax collection efficiencies,” Lacson, a champion of LGUs, said in his bill titled “The Local Government Development Fund Act of 2025.”

“Giving the LGUs the necessary wherewithal to be active participants in the development of our country will contribute to dismantling the culture of mendicancy and political patronage that viciously thrive in our system. Ultimately, this will help in the realization of the elusive inclusive growth that the Filipinos all aspire for as a nation,” he added.

In Filipino: Panukala ni Ping Lacson, Magbibigay ng 1% Share ng VAT Collection sa LGU Development Projects

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Ping Lacson Bill Frees MAIFIP from Politics, Consolidates It Under Universal Health Care Act

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson has filed a bill seeking to free the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Program of the Department of Health from politics, by placing it under the framework of the Universal Health Care Act – and penalizing political exploitation and manipulation of the program.

In Senate Bill 404 titled the “Universal Medical Assistance Act of 2025,” Lacson said this consolidation will eliminate “overlaps and redundancies” with other medical assistance programs implemented across various government agencies.

“By consolidating MAIFIP within the framework of the UHC, we can effectively address the issue of payment delays for medical services rendered by DOH-licensed and/or accredited health facilities because of political interference. The proposed legislation also aims to eliminate the politicization of the program, thus curbing the culture of mendicancy and political patronage,” he said.

“A coherent and unified health system under Universal Healthcare must be established to effectively address the needs of indigent and marginalized families. Individuals, regardless of economic status, who suffer from catastrophic illnesses and similar medical conditions and its corresponding substantial financial burdens, should meaningfully benefit from the government’s comprehensive safety net and enjoy affordable and accessible health services — free from political interventions that shamelessly exploit government programs to curry public favor,” he added.

In Filipino: Panukala ni Ping Lacson, Aalisin ang Pamumulitika sa MAIFIP

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