Category: PingBills

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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 Resolution Seeks Probe into ‘Bill Shock,’ Continued Power Rate Hikes

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson has filed a resolution seeking a Senate inquiry into the continuing increase in electricity rates and the “bill shock” experienced by consumers, amid concerns over unexplained charges, alleged irregularities in meter readings, and system losses ultimately shouldered by law-abiding consumers.

Under Senate Resolution No. 511, Lacson urged the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation, to strengthen transparency, accountability and consumer protection in the power industry.

“(While) access to affordable and reliable electricity is fundamental to promoting Filipinos’ welfare, national productivity, and economic development … residential electricity rates in the Philippines are among the highest in Southeast Asia, ranking second in costs at approximately US$0.18–US$0.21 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), next only to Singapore’s average of US$0.23 per kWh, thus placing a disproportionate financial burden on Filipino families, workers, and enterprises,” Lacson said in his resolution filed on Monday, July 13.

In Filipino: Lacson, Nais Imbestigahan ang ‘Bill Shock’ at Patuloy na Pagtaas ng Singil sa Kuryente
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Lacson Reiterates Need for Stricter Penalties vs Espionage Amid Recent Espionage Activities

Recent foreign espionage activities targeting the Philippines’ state secrets underscore the need for stricter penalties, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson emphasized on Thursday.

Lacson said that while he has filed a bill to address the issue as early as last July, the proposed measure is still languishing at the committee level.

“It was one of the first bills I filed in the 20th Congress, to update our anti-espionage law. Our current law is a Commonwealth Act dating back to 1941, whose penalties are too light. So I say we need to strengthen the law to address modern-day threats,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZRH radio.

“Our world has changed, and spying is detrimental to our national security,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Kailangan ng Mas Mahigpit na Parusa vs Pag-Eespiya Kasunod ng Kamakailang Espionage Activities

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Lacson Pushes Coffee Industry Growth for Local and Export Markets Amid Brazil Expansion Plans

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Friday renewed his call to strengthen the Philippine coffee industry not only to meet local demand but also to compete in export markets – after Brazil bared plans to expand its coffee market share in the Philippines.

Lacson said some areas in the Visayas and Mindanao can be developed as coffee plantation areas, although the Department of Agriculture (DA) needs to be empowered and supported through legislation to do this.

“Coffee is a regular part of a typical Filipino breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon meetings. Let’s develop our coffee industry not only for local consumption but to export. Hence, I filed Senate Bill 1556, establishing a Philippine national coffee industry development program,” he said on X.

In Filipino: Lacson, Isinusulong ang Pagpapalago ng Industriya ng Kape para sa Local at Export Markets, sa Gitna ng Expansion Plans ng Brazil

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