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Lacson: ‘Military-Backed People Power’ Plot Exists but Likely Doomed to Fail

Some groups are reportedly trying to seek support from members of the uniformed services for a possible military-backed “people power revolution” amid the controversies involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte – but such efforts are not likely to succeed, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson said he received information indicating that some “retired officers” are trying to recruit support from within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“There is definitely an attempt but this is outside the AFP. Those behind this could only recruit a few, if at all, from inside the AFP. My contacts in the Philippine National Police say there is no indication this ‘movement’ will snowball. But definitely there is an attempt, mostly by retired officers,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: May Binabalak na ‘Military-Backed People Power’ pero Malamang Mabibigo

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Lacson Reminds Peers of Conduct as Possible Senator-Judges in VP Duterte Impeachment Trial

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Sunday reminded fellow senators to observe proper conduct as potential senator-judges, should the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte be transmitted to the Senate.

Lacson stressed the need for senators to be perceived as impartial – taking care that their words and actions must not give the impression that they are aligned with the prosecution or the defense.

“We must understand that we should not be perceived as part of the prosecution or defense panel. We must listen to the prosecution teams and the cross-examinations of the prosecution witnesses by the defense team and vice versa – all while taking down notes to help us reach an informed decision,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

“We speak only if we have clarificatory questions to ask. We cannot sound like members of the prosecution or defense panel, that would not be good,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Pinapaalalahanan ang Kapwa Senador sa Tamang Asal bilang Posibleng Senator-Judges sa VP Impeachment Trial

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Lacson Readies Blue Ribbon Chairman’s Progress Report, Eyes ‘Faceoff’ with Former Speaker, Zaldy Co, Ex-Soldiers

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is preparing a Chairman’s Progress Report on the flood control scandal to pave the way for the resumption of hearings and to aid case-buildup by the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman.

Lacson also said he is keen on inviting anew former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez to the committee’s next hearing – and having him join a faceoff with captured former Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co and former soldiers who claimed to have delivered kickbacks to various personalities on Co’s orders.

“We have drafted a Chairman’s Progress Report. I cannot report out the partial committee report on the Senate floor due to the lack of needed signatures. So to get it over with, I have thought of drafting the Chairman’s Progress Report, which has a precedent,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio Sunday.

“We owe it to the Filipino people. The Blue Ribbon Committee has conducted eight hearings on the matter but has yet to come up with even a partial report,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Inihahanda ang Blue Ribbon Chairman’s Progress Report, Balak ang ‘Faceoff’ kina Dating Speaker Romualdez, Zaldy Co, at mga Dating Sundalo

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Lacson: Signing of BRC Partial Report Should be Guided by Sense of Duty, Not Pakikisama

The signing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s partial report on the flood control mess should be guided by a sense of duty and not “pakikisama” or peer pressure, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson emphasized Saturday.

Lacson said senators must be swayed not by political affiliations or bloc lines but by their responsibilities as members of the Blue Ribbon committee when deciding whether to sign the partial report.

“For me, it doesn’t matter if you are in the majority or minority bloc, so long as you follow what is right. Otherwise, you will be blind if you claim that you won’t sign something from the majority because you are from the minority,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DWIZ radio.

“If you are a senator, you must have your own convictions, not follow the convictions of your colleagues,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Tungkulin, Hindi Pakikisama, ang Gabay sa Paglagda sa BRC Partial Flood Control Report

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Lacson: No Threat to Sotto-Led Senate Leadership Amid Possible Impeachment Trial

There is no threat to the Senate leadership under Senate President Vicente Sotto III amid the prospect of an impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson also said he and Sotto have started taking “crash courses” or briefings on legal matters – such as the Rules of Court and Revised Rules on Criminal Procedure – to prepare for the possible transmission of the impeachment case to the Senate.

“Impeachment trial or no impeachment trial, there’s always the possibility of an attempt at leadership change. That will not go away. Such plots are usually hatched during session breaks,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DWIZ radio.

“At least to my knowledge, the majority bloc is solid because Senate President Sotto is leading well,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Walang Banta sa Liderato ni Sotto sa Gitna ng Posibleng Impeachment Trial

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