At the hearing on corruption and the recycling of drugs, Sen. Lacson smelled a ‘lutong makaw’ in the case of 13 police officers tagged in a controversial anti-drug operation in Pampanga in 2013.
Earlier, Lacson moved to have SPO1 Ronald Santos cited in contempt, for his failure to attend previous Senate inquiries even after being subpoenaed. Santos was among those 13 police officers tagged for grave misconduct in a controversial anti-drug operation in November 2013.
Thank you, Mr. President. Distinguished colleagues, I have the honor to report on the Senate floor Senate Bill No. 1083 entitled “An Act Amending Certain Provisions of Republic Act No. 9372,” otherwise Known as “An Act to Secure the State and Protect Our People from Terrorism,” as embodied in Committee Report No. 9 in substitution of Senate Bill Numbers 6, 21, and 30.
The amendment to the Human Security Act of 2007 is among the unfinished business of the 17th Congress. Almost eight months ago, I stood here to sponsor the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2019. Unfortunately, time was not on our side to deliberate on the said measure. Since then, the Filipino people have already been confronted by a number of terrorist attacks. As we speak, terrorist groups are probably planning their next attacks.
Mr. President, we have seen a mutation in the way terrorist groups perpetrate their evil acts since the passage of the Human Security Act. We have seen the phenomenon of terrorism become more complex and malevolent. We have seen how the ISIS’ tactics have changed as the terror group continues to lose ground in Iraq and Syria, how their members and sympathizers are taking the fight here in Southeast Asia.
At the Senate hearing on ‘ninja cops,’ Sen. Lacson questioned the seeming lack of action against the police personnel involved a controversial anti-drug operation in 2013. He also nearly moved to have a police officer cited in contempt for not being forthright.
The DND is seeking a budget of P258.35 billion for 2020, including P119.118B for personnel services; P69.704B for pension; P40.701B for MOOE; and P28.831B for capital outlay.
In an interview, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– ‘ceasefire’ with some House members on 2020 budget
– call from the House to cut the Senate’s budget
– passage of 2020 budget in the Senate in 2-3 weeks
The CA Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Sen. Lacson took up the appointments and nomination of 53 foreign service officers, including:
* 5 senior officials appointed to the rank of Chief of Mission Class 1
* 10 senior officials appointed to the rank of Chief of Mission Class 2
* 17 senior officials appointed to the rank of Career Ministers
* 20 officials appointed to the rank of Foreign Service Officer Class 1 * 1 officer appointed to the rank of Foreign Service Officer Class 4
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Mr. Chairman, this representation as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, presided over a public hearing to deliberate on the ad interim appointments of 52 Senior Officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs consisting of five Senior Officials who are promoted to the rank of Chief of Mission, Class I; 10 Senior Officials promoted to the rank of Chief of Mission, Class II; 17 Senior Officials promoted to the rank of Career Minister; 20 Officials promoted to the rank of Foreign Service Officer, Class I; and the nomination of one officer to the rank of Foreign Service Officer, Class IV.
Your Committee, after deliberating on their qualifications and fitness during the said public hearing, determined that all of the 52 appointees and one nominee are fit and qualified to the post where they are respectively nominated or promoted, and has therefore ruled to recommend to the plenary their respective nomination and appointments for the consent and confirmation of this august body.
In an interview with media after the hearing, Sen. Lacson also cited other preventive measures such as joint operations, and closer coordination with the judiciary in destroying illegal drugs seized as evidence.
