Category: Interpellation

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Lacson: Proper Handling, Forensic Tools Crucial to Authenticating Digital Evidence in AI Age

Proper handling and use of forensic tools are crucial to authenticating digital evidence in court, particularly amid growing concerns over artificial intelligence (AI)-generated and manipulated content, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed Wednesday.

During his interpellation of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agent John Mark Calilung in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Lacson said this should also apply to the recording of the Vice President’s online press conference that he authenticated.

“I’m not here to question the authenticity, I just want to be assured dahil sabi ko nga kanina pagka sa AI napakahirap talaga almost impossible to distinguish it from the original video or source (I’m not here to question the authenticity. I just want to be assured because with AI, it’s almost impossible to distinguish a tampered video from the original video or source),” Lacson said.

In Filipino: Lacson: Tamang Pangangasiwa Mahalaga sa Pagpapatunay ng Digital na Ebidensya sa Panahon ng AI

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Lacson: Move to Allow Online Participation in Senate Proceedings Violates Senate Rules

We may be violating our own rules.

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson thus questioned on Tuesday evening the majority bloc’s move to tackle and vote in plenary a motion introduced by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta last May 11 to allow online participation in Senate proceedings, saying it runs contrary to the chamber’s rules and committee system.

“Does it mean that we are now disregarding the committees (and committee system) of the Senate?” Lacson asked as he cited Section 24 of the Rules of the Senate, where the committees “shall hold meetings to discuss, decide and submit a report on all matters transmitted to them.”

In Filipino: Lacson: Hakbang na Payagan ang Online Participation sa mga Pagdinig ng Senado, Labag sa mga Alituntunin ng Senado

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Lacson Proposes Constitutional Fix to BARMM Polls Measure

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Monday proposed a fix to address a potential constitutional infirmity in a bill proposing the scheduling of elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

While Lacson pointed out that he does not object to Senate Bill 1823, he cited a possible issue involving the constitutional mandate for synchronized national and local elections.

“At the outset, let me clarify that I am not objecting to the measure under consideration. Rather, this is a manifestation of concern, particularly on a potential Constitutional infirmity,” he said in his interpellation of the Senate bill.

In Filipino: Lacson, Nagmungkahi ng Pag-amyenda upang Matugunan ang Posibleng Isyung Konstitusyonal sa Panukalang Halalan sa BARMM

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Lacson Pushes Safeguards to Prevent a ‘Napoles’ in Classroom-Building Bill

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson pushed for safeguards to make sure that a bill seeking to accelerate the construction of classrooms and school buildings will not be marred by conflict of interest – or worse, create another “Napoles.”

Lacson emphasized that while he fully supports the initiative to accelerate the construction of classrooms and school buildings, there are issues on the extent of participation of non-government organizations (NGOs) and civil society groups (CSOs) that need to be resolved.

“If we involve NGOs and they will actively participate in bidding, monitoring, etc., (there is the) conflict of interest. Probably (we can include a) caveat, that provided they will not monitor themselves. At the proper time maybe we can use the proper language to clarify that particular issue. But I have no objection to allowing NGOs to be active partners in the school building program of the government,” he said in his interpellation Wednesday of Senate Bill 1482 authored by Sen. Bam Aquino.

In Filipino: Lacson: Kailangan ang Safeguards Para Hindi Maulit ang ‘Napoles’ sa Classroom-Building Bill

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Lacson Pushes Rehab Fund for LGUs Hit by Back-to-Back Typhoons, Seeks Disaster Needs Reports

To ensure a responsive, data-driven budget that will facilitate the rehabilitation of areas battered by back-to-back Typhoons Tino and Uwan earlier this year, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson pressed for ground-validated disaster assessment reports from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

During his interpellation of the Department of National Defense’s proposed 2026 budget, Lacson requested copies of the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) and Rapid Damage Needs Assessment (RDANA) to guide lawmakers in crafting the needed amendments.

He pointed out that Malacanang, through Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, formally requested funding in the 2026 budget to assist the local government units (LGUs) concerned in their rehabilitation efforts.

“The Senate, and Congress for that matter, cannot simply introduce amendments under the Senate version and even during the bicameral conference committee without getting data on the ground,” he said in his interpellation.

“We will try to avoid lump sum appropriations. Because when we realign some appropriations (for the Local Government Support Fund) because the request was to augment the LGSF, (so that) local government units on their own can rehabilitate and recover,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Isinulong ang Pondo para sa Rehabilitasyon ng LGUs na Tinamaan ng Magkasunod na Bagyo

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