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Lacson Calls Out Personal Attacks vs Pro-Philippine Officials on WPS Issue

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Sunday called out the use of “ad hominem” or personal attacks against officials and lawmakers who uphold a pro-Philippine stance on the territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea.

Lacson fired back at Rep. Paolo Henry Marcoleta, who suggested that a “Coast Guard spokesperson” and some “senators” be at the frontline or be used as cannon fodder if China declares war on the Philippines, after his father got flak for suggesting that we give up the Kalayaan Islands.

In a post on X, Lacson also said the younger Marcoleta should stick to the issue and visit Pag-Asa Island in the KIG, which is part of Palawan province, so he can get a firsthand look at the functioning Philippine local government there.

“The son also rises with his own ad hominem. Suggesting to use the PCG spokesman and some senators as cannon fodder if China declares war against the Philippines is uncalled for. He should visit Pag-Asa Island in KIG and see for himself the functioning local government there,” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson, Tinuligsa ang mga Personal na Pag-atake sa Isyu ng WPS

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Lacson: Giving Up Kalayaan Islands No Different from Surrendering Entire Country

Any suggestion at “giving up” the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) is no different from surrendering Luzon or even the entire country, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson reiterated that under international law, the first discovery and possession of land that “belongs to no one” – like in the case of the KIG – is a recognized mode of sovereign ownership.

“’Giving up’ the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) is no different from giving up Luzon Island or the entire country. Under international law, first discovery and possession of land that belongs to no one under the legal principle of ‘res nullius’ or ‘terra nullius’ is a recognized mode of sovereign ownership. Even non-lawyers were taught this in school,” he said on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Ang Pagsuko sa Kalayaan Islands, Walang Pinagkaiba sa Pagsuko ng Buong Bansa

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‘Kalayaan Is Ours’: Lacson Grounds Philippine Claim in Legal Principle

A long-standing legal principle supports the Philippines’ ownership of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in Palawan without having to argue about the nuances of international law, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson said the Philippines became the owner of the KIG through a mode of acquiring territory known as discovery and effective occupation.

“Yung Spratly Islands, hindi ba si Tomas Cloma ang naka-discover nito kasi in-occupy niya? And this was formalized by the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. by way of Presidential Decree 1596 in 1978 (In the case of the Spratly Islands, wasn’t Tomas Cloma the one who discovered and occupied it? This was formalized by the late President Ferdinand Marcos by way of Presidential Decree 1596 in 1978),” Lacson said at the hearing of the CA’s Committee on National Defense.

In Filipino: Atin Ito! Ipinundar ni Lacson sa Prinsipyong Legal ang Pag-Aangkin ng Pilipinas sa Kalayaan Islands

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Lacson: President’s Orders to Pay Performing Contractors, Monitor Projects to Help Avert Infra Crisis

The orders of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to promptly pay performing contractors and to regularly monitor projects will help avert a looming infrastructure crisis, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson said these should help address the risk posed by the reluctance if not refusal of many contractors to participate in biddings for Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects.

“Spot on. Amidst reluctance, even refusal of many contractors to participate in public biddings for the DPWH infrastructure projects, the President’s order to facilitate the payment of outstanding obligations to contractors who delivered on their contracted government projects will help prevent a looming infrastructure crisis brought about by the ongoing reforms in the DPWH in the proper utilization of the national budget,” he said of the President’s order to promptly pay “good” contractors.

In Filipino: Lacson: Utos ng Pangulo na Bayaran ang Matinong Kontratista at Bantayan ang mga Proyekto, Makakatulong na Maiwasan ang Krisis sa Imprastraktura

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Lacson Emphasizes Issue-Based Approach with Senate Colleagues

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Thursday emphasized the importance of keeping discussions with Senate colleagues focused on issues.

Lacson said he has no problem supporting fellow senators on certain matters and disagreeing on others, so long as they maintain mutual respect and keep the debates professional.

“We don’t have problems with each other because we are focused on issues, though it is sad when the exchanges become personal. But that is how it is in the Senate – we may have clashing opinions at times, but it does not affect the way we tackle issues,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

“We should have no problem with this approach, provided we make sure things don’t get foul or personal,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Iginiit ang Issue-Based na Pakikipag-ugnayan sa Kapwa Senador

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