Category: Statements

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Lacson Backs PAF Review of Policy on Awards and Badges for Reservists

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday backed the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Reserve Command’s plan to review and strengthen its policies on the conferment of awards and honorary badges to reservists, saying each military decoration should represent a specific act of heroism, valor, courage, or an outstanding feat.

“Behind every ribbon pinned on a soldier’s uniform represents a medal. Every medal has a unique story about heroism, valor, courage and bravery, or an outstanding feat even outside the combat zone,” Lacson, who served in the Philippine Constabulary, said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson, Sinuportahan ang Pagsusuri ng PAF sa Patakaran sa mga Parangal at Badge para sa mga Reservist

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Lacson Seeks More Equitable Distribution of National Tax Allotments to LGUs

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is exploring ways to make the distribution of the National Tax Allotment (NTA) to local government units (LGUs) more equitable, particularly by giving smaller LGUs greater resources to spur development.

Lacson, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said that under the current NTA formula, smaller towns and provinces receive only a fraction of the allocations received by their bigger and wealthier counterparts.

“Kung sinong mayayaman at malalaking siyudad, ang laki ng NTA na nakukuha. For example ang nanguna Davao City and Quezon City, pumapalo sa P10 billion. Sa maliit na munisipyo pagkaliit-liit, halos hindi nila maramdaman ang share nila sa NTA (The bigger and wealthier cities receive huge allocations. For example, Davao City and Quezon City get a big NTA allocation – as much as P10 billion. But very small cities’ NTA shares are so small they can hardly feel its impact),” he said in an interview on DZXL radio.

“Ang problema, inequitability ng distribution, ng share ng LGU sa ating national revenues. Dapat siguro gawing equitable nang kaunti (The problem is the inequitable distribution of LGUs’ share in our national revenues. We must find ways to make it more equitable),” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Naghahanap ng Mas Pantay na Pamamahagi ng National Tax Allotments sa mga LGU

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Lacson Questions ‘Uniform’ P180-Million Evacuation Center Allocations Per Region, ‘Ayuda’ in Proposed 2027 Budget

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday questioned a “uniform” P180-million lump sum allocation for evacuation centers in each of the country’s 17 regions totaling more than P3 billion – as well as an apparent heavy allocation for “ayuda” or social services – under the proposed 2027 national budget.

Lacson said his and his staff’s scrutiny of the National Expenditure Program showed the proposed evacuation center allocations lacked key details, including specific locations where they would be built.

“We observed that each of the 17 regions was given a P180-million lump sum for evacuation centers. There were no details on where they would be located. The P180 million was uniformly distributed to each region,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZXL radio.

“Was there any study to determine if a region needed more evacuation centers? There seemed to be none. That is not acceptable. There were no specifications or locations. Each of Regions 1 to 17 was simply given P180 million for a total of more than P3 billion,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson Kinuwestiyon ang Tig-P180M Alokasyon para sa Evacuation Center Bawat Rehiyon, ‘Ayuda’ sa Panukalang 2027 Budget

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Lacson: Without Clear Direction for Flood Control Program, Government Wasting More Taxpayers’ Money

Without a master plan or clear direction for its flood control program, the government risks wasting more taxpayers’ money, including the P107.4 billion earmarked for flood control under the proposed 2027 budget, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson said this is one of the questions he will raise at the Development Budget Coordinating Committee (DBCC) briefing, which is scheduled to start on Aug. 27.

“Are we following a flood management program? If not, we are just wasting money because we have no direction,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZXL radio.

“In the proposed 2027 budget, some P107 billion is earmarked for flood control projects. A good question to ask is, how will it be spent? Are there overall programs for this? If so, where are they?” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Kung Walang Malinaw na Direksyon sa Flood Control Program, Masasayang Na Naman ang Pera ng Taumbayan

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Lacson: P1.939 Trillion Spent for Flood Control, Yet Floods Remain Uncontrolled

Despite the government spending P1.939 trillion on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)’s flood control management program from 2011 to 2025, floods remain uncontrolled, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson lamented Monday evening.

Lacson made the observation as heavy monsoon rains caused widespread flooding and disrupted activities in several parts of the country, including Metro Manila, in recent days.

“FLOOD CONTROL VS UNCONTROLLED FLOOD: PhP1.939 trillion funded the DPWH flood control management program under three presidents from 2011-2025 and the result is uncontrolled flood,” he said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: P1.939 Trilyon Ginastos sa Flood Control, Pero ‘Uncontrolled’ pa rin ang Baha

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