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Lacson Flags ‘Questionable’ Lump-Sum Items for Infra Projects in Proposed 2027 Budget, to Seek Clarification

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Saturday flagged some “questionable” lump sum appropriations for infrastructure projects of a government agency in the P7.2-trillion proposed national budget for 2027, adding he will seek an explanation or clarification from the officials concerned.

Lacson said he may formally raise the issue at the briefing of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), which is initially scheduled on Aug. 27.

“We spotted lump sum appropriations that we don’t think should be lump sum. When we say lump sum appropriations, an aggregate amount is appropriated for a project, activity or program (PAP), or group of projects without detailing the breakdown of the cost of each PAP,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

“We will seek clarification on the details of these lump sum appropriations. Lump sum appropriations are allowed for calamity funds because we cannot predict when calamities occur. But it becomes questionable if it’s for infrastructure projects. That is what we saw and we will ask for details on the matter,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, May Nasilip na ‘Questionable’ Lump-Sum Items para sa Infra Projects sa Panukalang 2027 Budget

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Lacson, Staff Begin Scrutiny of Proposed 2027 Budget Amid Senate’s Tight Schedule

Despite the Senate’s tight schedule due to the ongoing impeachment trial, regular plenary sessions and expected committee hearings on matters referred to his committees, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson and his staff have begun scrutinizing the proposed P7.2-trillion budget for 2027.

Lacson said that, as in past years, he and his staff would closely examine the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to ensure that no traces of “pork,” including questionable, useless and wasteful items, would make it to the proposed budget.

“Sa ngayon, sinisimulan na namin ng staff na i-scrutinize ang NEP kasi na-transmit na ito. Pinasisimulan namin kalkalin o i-scrutinize ang NEP para sa 2027 budget (As of now, my staff and I have started scrutinizing the NEP after it was transmitted to both houses of Congress. We have started poring through the NEP in preparation for deliberations on the proposed budget for 2027),” he said in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson, Staff Sinimulan ang Pagsusuri sa Panukalang 2027 Budget sa Kabila ng Masikip na Iskedyul ng Senado

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Lacson Vows Budgetary Support for AFP Drone Capability Development

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Thursday pledged budgetary support for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to develop drone capabilities for national defense, especially against external aggression.

Lacson gave the assurance to AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, noting that drones could provide the Philippines with a more practical and affordable defense capability compared to more expensive platforms such as warships and long-range missiles.

“I just want to find out (some details para) pagdating ng budget deliberations we can support the program, meron talaga kayong tangible program para mag-develop ng drones. Kasi ito lang ang pwede nating panlaban considering our situation (I just want to find out some details so that when we start budget deliberations, we can support the program if you have a tangible program to develop drones. Drones are the only practical option we have against external aggression, considering our situation),” he said at the confirmation hearing of AFP officials at the Commission on Appointments.

“I don’t think we have the wherewithal to build big warships and long-range missiles and the like. Meron ba tayong programa sa development ng drones, in case may external aggression? At least may laban man lang tayo maski wala tayong pera (I don’t think we have the wherewithal to build big warships or acquire long-range missiles and the like. Do we have a program to develop drones against external aggression? At least we have a fighting chance even if we don’t have enough funds),” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Nangako ng Suporta sa Badyet para sa Pagpapaunlad ng Drone Capability ng AFP

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Lacson: COA Has Authority to Inspect Vaults Containing Records on Persons Behind Aliases

The Commission on Audit (COA) has the authority to inspect the vaults containing classified records and supporting documents related to confidential and intelligence operations when circumstances so demand, Senator-Judge Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson cited COA’s Joint Memorandum Circular 2015-01, which provides that classified details and supporting documents of transactions kept in an agency’s vault may be inspected by the COA’s Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Unit (ICFAU) “if circumstances so demand.”

He cited the provision during his questioning of state auditor Xylene del Campo on whether the presence of numerous aliases in confidential and intelligence fund transactions could have warranted an inspection of the vault.

“Kung maraming aliases na nagdududa kayo, di ba natural lang, logically iisipin nyo na ma-inspection nga ang vault kung totoong tao ang nasa likod ng aliases (If you encounter many aliases and you harbor doubts, isn’t it natural and logical to inspect the vault to see if real people are behind the aliases)?” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson: COA, May Awtoridad na Siyasatin ang mga Vault na Naglalaman ng mga Record ng mga Taong Nasa Likod ng mga Alias

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Lacson: PRA Starts Process to Forfeit Illegally Reclaimed Taguig Land for National Government

The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) has started the process that could lead to the forfeiture in favor of the national government of several hectares of illegally reclaimed land on the Taguig side of Laguna Lake, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson said the PRA has confirmed his and his team’s initial findings that the Taguig City government had not secured a single permit required to undertake the reclamation.

“They are moving toward an investigation that would lead to a PRA board resolution to start the process toward forfeiture proceedings. If reclamation is undertaken without a permit from the PRA, which is the agency mandated to regulate reclamation and issue the necessary permits, the logical conclusion is that the land should be forfeited in favor of the national government. And the PRA confirmed that there was not a single permit,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

“The reclaimed land may be benefiting residents, as former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano claims, but the proper procedures and laws still have to be followed, including securing the necessary permits. The PRA said the city government did not secure a single permit,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: PRA, Sinimulan na ang Proseso para I-Forfeit sa Pambansang Gobyerno ang Ilegal na Ni-Reclaim na Lupa sa Taguig

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