From Inquirer.net: Government project funding has allegedly been bloated by 328 percent after receiving “double, triple, quadruple and quintuple” appropriations this year–but hidden in the 2024 national budget, former Sen. Panfilo Lacson said.
Continue reading “Lacson reveals some gov’t project funding bloated by staggering 328% [Inquirer]”
From SPIN.ph: Ping Lacson has sage advice on Edsa traffic to FIBA World Cup teams: Avoid Edsa or lose by default.
Continue reading “Ping Lacson has sage advice on Edsa traffic to World Cup teams [SPIN.ph]”
From the Inquirer: (A)s pointed out by anti-corruption crusaders like former senator Panfilo Lacson and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, we need infrastructure that is not subject to the corrupt racket that lines the pockets of politicians and their private sector cohorts and which results in substandard projects that need frequent repairs.
Continue reading “Editorial: The Filipino curse of ‘puede na’ [Inquirer]”
From the Inquirer: To be sure, Magalong’s uncompromising stand against the unremitting greed of some public officials has also gained support from his allies, including former senator Panfilo Lacson, his fellow retired police general who fought against the pork barrel system.
Continue reading “Editorial: Joining Magalong’s lonely crusade [Inquirer]”
From the Inquirer: That the singular protest comes from a former senator whose voice has grown hoarse from repeated warnings (many times ignored) about government budget abuses should not be a cause of complacency for our economic managers.
Continue reading “Editorial: Save the PH from debt misuse [Inquirer]”
From Alfred Dalizon’s column in People’s Journal: Highly respected former Senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson, the 8th PNP chief from November 16, 1999 to February 16, 2001 has this to say on new PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda.
Continue reading “Former PNP Chiefs’ Interesting Thoughts on Gen. Acorda [People’s Journal]”
From BusinessMirror: Retirement pensions, especially for those who have served honorably in the AFP and other uniformed services, must be treated as a vital part of an incentive package for retirees as well as for those planning to serve the country through the profession of arms. This was the stand of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Matatag” Class of 1971 Inc. in its position paper.
Continue reading “Military and uniformed personnel pension conundrum [BusinessMirror]”
From the Manila Bulletin: “I am enjoying life and want to keep enjoying it,” he said when we sat with him for an afternoon conversation, a series on people who were more than celebrities who suddenly left public space.
From Alfred Dalizon’s column in People’s Journal: “While I share with them the same advocacy and passion in ending the insurgency problem, I enjoin them to focus on the enemy without harassing those of us who put our lives on the line while serving in the AFP and PNP,” Lacson said.
Continue reading “Known CPP/NPA fighters Magalong, Lacson vs Badoy, Celiz [People’s Journal]”
From Alfred Dalizon’s column in People’s Journal: I fully agree with former Senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson when he declared that the conviction of a former policeman for the brutal killing of two teenagers in 2017 along with the resulting law transferring the training of police recruits to the Philippine National Police should help spell the end for “drug-related” torture and murder – and other abuses involving rogues in uniform.
Continue reading “A Grim Lesson for Rogues in Uniform [People’s Journal]”
From Manny Dooc’s column in BusinessMirror: Why not settle for Lacson and Sotto who are willing to run for the posts and ready to serve and assume office if elected?
From Malaya: This is just to point out that the senator keeps his position on issues come what may, whether the ship keels over or sinks, and will doggedly hold on to the ideas and ideals that he backs, whoever gets hurt or whatever pressure is applied on him to change.
Continue reading “Editorial: Lacson sticks to politics of principles [Malaya]”
From Yen Makabenta’s column in The Manila Times: Lacson is a plausible alternative candidate because he has chalked up a long and creditable record of service in the legislature, the executive and the police force. The exercise of power will not be foreign to him.
From People’s Tonight: Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has stressed anew the need for the Philippines to achieve “herd immunity” early to enable its devastated economy to recover soonest.
Continue reading “Editorial: Herd Immunity [People’s Tonight]”
Sen. Lacson’s commentary published in The Manila Times: “I am sure many Filipinos — not only those who are neither DDS nor Yellows, but even some from either political camp, whether they admit it or not — share some, if not all, of these views. We should thus continue speaking our minds independently, especially in pursuit of our national interest.”
Continue reading “Divided We Sink [published in The Manila Times]”
To Panay News: We wish to set the record straight regarding some claims by Mr. Roberto “Bert” Ladera in his March 4 column in Panay News – including that Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson is belittling the efforts of our law enforcers in battling the menace of illegal drugs, when he said that the anti-drug war has not succeeded.
Continue reading “Letter to the Editor: Failed drug war [Panay News]”
From Rudy Romero’s column in the Manila Standard: Another Hero of the Year 2020 is Senator Panfilo Lacson. After his work on the proposed General Appropriations Act for 2021, he truly deserves to be called Mr. Budget. Over the years, the former police general from Cavite has made it his mission to be conversant with the nefarious operations – overpricing, lump-summing, insertions and concealment – associated with the structuring of the national budget, especially its public-works portion.
In an interview on Politiko, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* Possible veto of questionable items in 2021 budget
* Efforts to procure COVID vaccines
* Calls for reimposition of death penalty
* Hope for the New Year
MORE DETAILS:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Balitaan at Kumustahan”
In an interview with Malou Mangahas, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* Tarlac shooting incident
* Need for proactive stance vs terrorism
* Pork barrel system
* Fight vs corruption
MORE DETAILS:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: The Mangahas Interviews”
From Lito Banayo’s column in the Manila Standard: Those who know the man enough also know that he would rather fight the good fight, regardless of the odds, a seeming Don Quixote jousting against the windmills of evil, fighting the unbeatable foe, regardless of public approbation or disapproval from peers—outlier if need be—just to be consistent with what upon his graduation from the Philippine Military Academy in the Class of 1971, he vowed: “What is right must be kept right; what is wrong must be set right.”
From The Daily Tribune: In response to a 24 October editorial of the Daily Tribune, Senator Panfilo Lacson’s camp wrote that the legislator is not ready to give the House of Representatives’ version of the General Appropriations Bill the benefit of the doubt regarding the measure being free of pork.
Continue reading “Letter to the Editor: Lacson stands ground, says House GAB ‘illegal’ [Tribune]”
From People’s Journal: From unwavering fidelity to the Constitution to high fidelity to life-enhancing technology, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson relentlessly pursues practical but meaningful legislation. Motivated by the pressing need to strengthen the country’s digital backbone, Lacson thankfully threw his full support behind the government’s plan to provide free Wi-Fi, especially in far-flung areas, and to set up a national broadband program.
Continue reading “Editorial: Need for (net) speed [People’s Journal]”
More than rectifying the wrong implementation of the IRM Circular 2020-0007, the accountable officers of PhilHealth who were responsible for the advance payments worth billions of pesos from March to July made to unauthorized HCIs like dialysis centers, maternity care providers, etc., should be made criminally and administratively liable for malversation of public funds (or property) under Art. 217, Chapter 4 of the Revised Penal Code as amended by Sec. 40 or RA 10951, which carries the penalty of reclusion perpetua if the amount involved is in excess of P8.8 million.
The evidence supported by official documents and testimonies provided by resource persons who testified under oath so far gathered by the Senate Committee of the Whole during the three weekly hearings are enough to indict people responsible directly or otherwise.
Without tough punitive action against those involved in such shenanigans, we may never see the end of the vicious cycle of corruption that has plagued PhilHealth.
*****
QUOTES FROM TELERADYO INTERVIEW…
Continue reading “On Sec. Duque’s Promise to ‘Rectify’ PhilHealth’s Circular on IRM for COVID-19 HCIs”
In an interview on Abante Radyo Tabloidista, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* ABS-CBN franchise [30:25]
* Fake news vs Anti-Terrorism Law [37:22]
* Cops accused of violating the law [16:07]
* Dealing with COVID at home [21:20]
* DOH issues in handling COVID pandemic [24:05]
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Mensahe sa ABS-CBN; Kritiko ng Anti-Terror Law; PNP; DOH”
In a virtual forum, Sen. Lacson answered questions on the Anti-Terrorism Bill:
* provisions on terrorist financing
* misconceptions about Anti-Terrorism Council
* safeguards vs wrongful arrest/detention
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum | June 17, 2020”
To Luisito ‘Cito’ Beltran: Please allow us to set the record straight on the misconceptions and insinuations in your column in The Philippine Star’s April 20 edition.
Continue reading “Letter to the Editor: Reply to Cito Beltran’s column [Philippine Star]”
From People’s Tonight: As Lacson said, let’s do our part in thwarting the spread of the virus even in our own little way.
Continue reading “Editorial: Act of responsibility [People’s Tonight]”
From the Manila Bulletin: Senator Panfilo M. Lacson said Tuesday all public health workers (HWs) will receive a Special Risk Allowance on top of their regular hazard pay under Republic Act 7305, the Magna Carta of Health Workers.
Continue reading “Health workers to get added hazard pay – Lacson [Manila Bulletin]”
From People’s Journal: Let us heed the counsel of a veteran lawmaker and former top law enforcer.
Continue reading “Editorial: Innovate and volunteer [People’s Journal]”
From Alfred Dalizon’s column in People’s Journal: During his tenure, Gen. Lacson ordered the relief of a police general who was caught playing golf in Baguio City despite his directive. That directive from Gen. Lacson made the headlines then.
From Atty. Ian Vincent Manticajon’s column in The Freeman: In this context, I thus support Lacson’s bill, if only to help arrest the culture of dishonesty that pervades in our public lives, and to truly foster development founded on justice and equity and not by political convenience.
From Federation of Philippine Industries chairman Dr. Jesus Arranza’s column in BusinessMirror: As FPI chair, I would like to thank the honorable senator for this long- awaited boost to our advocacy to promote consumer safety and local industry protection. Kudos to Lacson for a job well done.
Continue reading “Finally, a senator’s quality gift for Filipinos [BusinessMirror]”
To The Philippine Star: Please allow us to set the record straight regarding Ms. Reyes’ column on Dec. 22, 2019, where she stated it is “unfortunate” that Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson “wants an investigation” into issues involving the organizers of the recently concluded Southeast Asian Games – and insinuated that the investigation may be for “grandstanding.”
Continue reading “Letter to the Editor: Reply to Mary Ann Reyes’ column [Philippine Star]”
From Lito Banayo’s columns in the Manila Standard: His stint as chief of the PNP was hailed by one and all, resulting in the police organization’s getting an all-time high trust rating. He stopped the everyday “kotong” which preyed on most everybody, from jeepney drivers to taxi drivers, to “viajeros” of food produce.
Continue reading “From top cop to eagle eye [Manila Standard]”
From Esquiremag.ph: In 1981, I was in my senior year in U.P., I got kidnapped along with my cousin, Celina Chua. I did not know that the Lt. Colonel, and now senator Ping Lacson, was helping my dad negotiate with the kidnappers. [Image courtesy: Esquiremag.ph]
To the Manila Standard: Please allow us to disabuse the minds of the public regarding the column of Mr. Ernesto Hilario where he extensively quotes statements from the House Speaker and his deputies, including the accusation that Senator Lacson is an obstructionist “out to derail the reform programs of President Duterte.” Nothing could be further from the truth.
Continue reading “Letter to the Editor: Who is the real obstructionist here? [Manila Standard]”
From the Inquirer: Senator Panfilo Lacson has refiled a bill that would penalize those who abandon their old and sick parents.
Related: Senate Bill 29, Parents Welfare Act of 2019
Continue reading “Lacson files bill penalizing those who abandon their old, sick parents [Inquirer]”
From SunStar Baguio: Senator Panfilo Lacson assured that Baguio City and all local government units in the country will benefit from the Budget Reform for Village Empowerment (BRAVE) Act he filed in the Senate.
Continue reading “Lacson’s budget bill to benefit Baguio, LGUs [SunStar Baguio]”
From the Inquirer: Lacson also cautioned that greed could be “more addicting” than drugs, and that no rehabilitation facility available to cure addiction to money.
Continue reading “Lacson to Duterte: Insatiable greed starts with simple, petty graft [Inquirer]”
From the Inquirer: Two influential government officials — a senator with a strong anticrime advocacy and the country’s top financial regulator — want incoming lawmakers to make it easier for authorities to examine bank deposits for evidence of potential wrongdoing.
Related: Lacson Bill Removes Bank Secrecy Act Protection for Gov’t Officials, Employees
Continue reading “Revisions to deposit secrecy law may yet see the light [Inquirer]”
From The Philippine Star: As long as there are sectors pushing for a genuine anti-corruption campaign, proponents of the reform must not lose hope.
Continue reading “Editorial: Bank secrecy exemption [Philippine Star]”
From the PNA: Records from the Senate Journal Service showed Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Panfilo Lacson were present in all of the 229 plenary sessions.
Continue reading “3 senators get 100% attendance during 17th Congress [PNA]”
From Ramon Farolan’s column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer: Obviously, when one is as strongly opposed to pork as Lacson has been, not too many politicians, particularly at the local government level, would be encouraged to support you and this support is needed. But if there is one thing Lacson has to offer, it is leadership.
Continue reading “Ping Lacson speaks loud and clear [Inquirer]”
From the Manila Bulletin: Once fully implemented, according to Lacson, the Filipino people would appreciate how easy and convenient it is for them to deal with their day-to-day activities.
From the Manila Bulletin: “If PRRD delivers on just these two promises, (1) to cut travel time from Cubao to Makati to 5 minutes within 6 months and; (2) to eliminate flight delays in NAIA within one month, for being superhuman, he deserves to be president for life,” Lacson told reporters in a text message.
From the Inquirer: “Sotto and Lacson have managed to keep a perfect attendance all throughout the 17th Congress, having accomplished the same in the first and second regular sessions in 2016 and 2017, respectively.”
Continue reading “Perfect attendance for Sotto, Lacson in 17th Congress [Inquirer]”
From Esquiremag.ph: Ping Lacson, Philippine senator and inadvertent politics critic by way of Twitter, has summed up our feelings over the upcoming elections via a tweet. Lacson wished good candidates good luck and the bad candidates to lose.
Continue reading “Ping Lacson Wants Fake, Thieving Politicians to Lose [Esquiremag.ph]”
From the PNA: Sen. Lacson said LGUs must be informed about the sources of funds for their local development plans to avoid poor planning in the budget preparation that often leads to lump sums, realignments, insertions and unused appropriations.
Continue reading “Lacson tells village dads to properly use gov’t funds [PNA]”
From People’s Journal: Quite thankfully, a former National Police chief, veteran law enforcer, and now lawmaker is leading the fight to curb ownership of firearms to address the problem of indiscriminate shooting and other political violence ahead of the elections.
Continue reading “Editorial: Tighter gun curbs [People’s Journal]”
From The Manila Times: “The first line of defense against violent extremism, I believe, is education; creating awareness and cultivating our young people’s critical thinking and resilience will equip them with skills they need to detect and reject violent extremism and make informed decisions and contest extremist ideologies,” (Lacson) said.
Continue reading “Threat groups use social media to spread extremism – Lacson [Manila Times]”
