Category: Speeches

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Lacson Commends Majority Colleagues for Responding to Higher Calling

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Wednesday commended his colleagues in the majority bloc for answering a higher calling – one that rises above friendships and affiliations – to fulfill their duty as legislators and uphold the integrity of the Senate.

Before moving to nominate Sen. Vicente Sotto III as Senate President Pro Tempore, Lacson underscored that this higher calling transcends not just personal or political ties, but also one’s own self-interest.

“I think I will be remiss of my duty and responsibility as a senator, colleague, and friend, if I didn’t thank and commend our two distinguished colleagues, Senator Chiz Escudero and Senator Joel Villanueva, for responding to their higher calling for this chamber, our beloved institution known as the Philippine Senate. Higher than their friendships. Their affiliations. And every individual member of this body. Even higher than themselves,” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson, Pinuri ang mga Kasamahan sa Majority Bloc sa Pagtugon sa Mas Mataas na Panawagan

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Privilege Speech on the Progress of the Blue Ribbon Committee’s Flood Control Investigation

Mr. President, esteemed colleagues:

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way”. This 400-year-old proverb applies to everyone, bar none.

Since getting the required majority signatures for this representation to be able to report out on the floor, your BRC’s Partial Committee Report on the flood control saga seems doomed from the time we first routed the same last February 11, 2026, I am compelled to stand before you on a matter of personal and collective privilege, and for good reasons.

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On the ‘Believability’ of Ex-Soldiers’ Cash Delivery Story: Privilege Speech on the 18 ‘ex-Marines’

Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I rise today on a matter of personal and collective privilege.

As chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, I have been subject of criticisms for not scheduling the 18 ex-military personnel who faced the media in an organized press conference at the historic Club Filipino on the eve of the 40th (anniversary of the) EDSA People Power Revolution to be called and testify before your Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations.

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Speech at the PMA Alumni Homecoming 2026

The Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines, General Romeo S. Brawner Jr.; the Chief of the Philippine National Police, Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez; the Superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy, Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia; *PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, Baguio Mayor Benjie Magalong, Major Service Commanders*, my fellow Cavaliers and alumni of our most revered institution, the Philippine Military Academy, members of the host classes for this year, the Cadet Corps, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and all the cadet girls present, especially my beautiful wife Alice, who is also here; Chairman of PMAAAI Admiral Ramon Punzalan and other officers of PMAAAI subsidiaries, the organizers of the Alumni Homecoming 2026, *Medal of Valor awardees*, ~and the host classes~; and pardon my arrogance, the best and snappiest class, at least for today, good morning to all.

It is an honor to stand behind this podium once more with great pride in this memory-filled Borromeo Field as a Cavalier among Cavaliers, as I did when I was also your Guest of Honor and Speaker exactly 12 years ago. I can still remember when I applied for admission into the Academy in mid-1966.

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Eulogy for Juan Ponce Enrile

Sir, when we both ran for the Senate in the May 2001 midterm elections, you as a veteran legislator and I as a neophyte politician, (you) mentored me on the art of campaigning. Unfortunately, the mentor lost, and ironically, the mentored won.

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