Category: Videos

Posted on

Lacson Thanks Cloma Descendant for Ancestor’s Discovering, Occupying, Owning, Donating KIG to PH

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday thanked a descendant of trader Tomas Cloma for her ancestor’s role in discovering, occupying and eventually donating the Kalayaan Island Group to the Philippines.

Lacson particularly extended his thanks through Col. Jacquelyn Cloma, one of the military officers whose promotion was up for confirmation before the Commission on Appointments (CA) – and whose husband is the great-grandson of the KIG’s discoverer.

“Please extend my regards and I’d like to thank him on behalf of his lolo-sa-tuhod, Tomas Cloma, for discovering and occupying and owning and donating to the Philippine government the Kalayaan Island Group,” he said at the confirmation hearing of the CA’s committee on defense.

In Filipino: Lacson, Nagpasalamat sa Inapo ni Cloma sa Papel ng Ninuno sa Pagtuklas at Pag-angkin ng KIG para sa PH

Continue reading “Lacson Thanks Cloma Descendant for Ancestor’s Discovering, Occupying, Owning, Donating KIG to PH”

Posted on

Lacson Pushes Budget Reforms to Ensure Transparency, Alignment, Realistic Execution

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday renewed his push for reforms that would enhance transparency in government spending, alignment between the national government and local government units (LGUs), and flexibility for implementing projects, activities, and programs.

At the Senate finance committee’s hearing, Lacson raised major concerns that include the “disappearance” of the Unified Accounts Code Structure (UACS), the need to synchronize local development councils’ outputs with national budget calls, and limitations on unprogrammed appropriations.

Lacson, a watchdog of the national budget, pushed for the strict implementation of the UACS system used to track the projects for funding in the budget bill, noting that the UACS would disappear once the National Expenditure Program (NEP) is transformed into the House and Senate versions or authorization phase of the budget cycle – then reappear on the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)’s website during implementation of the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

In Filipino: Lacson, Itinulak ang Reporma sa Badyet para sa Transparency, Pagkakaugnay, at Realistic na Pagpapatupad

Continue reading “Lacson Pushes Budget Reforms to Ensure Transparency, Alignment, Realistic Execution”

Posted on

Lacson Probes DPWH Infra Project List ‘Requested’ by CA Panel Member for Bonoan Confirmation

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is investigating a list of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control and other infrastructure projects reportedly “requested” by a Commission on Appointments panel member in exchange for the confirmation of then DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan in late 2022.

Lacson said Saturday that the information surfaced while he and his staff continue to inspect suspected anomalous flood control projects in other parts of the country.

“We received information that during a CA hearing for Bonoan’s confirmation as DPWH secretary, the confirmation process was used for such a transaction,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM, citing information from former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.

In Filipino: Lacson Iniimbestigahan ang Listahan ng DPWH Infra Projects na ‘Hiningi’ ng CA Panel Member para sa Bonoan Confirmation

Continue reading “Lacson Probes DPWH Infra Project List ‘Requested’ by CA Panel Member for Bonoan Confirmation”

Posted on

Lacson Eyes Faster Mechanisms to Address Rising Fuel Costs

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is seeking to speed up the government’s mechanisms to address rising fuel costs, especially amid unstable prices of oil due to the tension in the Middle East.

Lacson on Saturday particularly pushed for an amendment to the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC)’s provision that would shorten the “wait period” of three months before suspending excise tax on fuel.

“I am not just pushing for an emergency power but for a permanent amendment to the NIRC to shorten the ‘wait time’ to suspend excise taxes, especially with the situation now in the Middle East. We cannot wait three months before suspending the imposition of an excise tax,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM.

In Filipino: Lacson Nais Pabilisin ang mga Mekanismo upang Matugunan ang Tumataas na Presyo ng Langis

Continue reading “Lacson Eyes Faster Mechanisms to Address Rising Fuel Costs”

Posted on

Lacson: CA May Be Held Liable for Falsifying Records in ‘Amending’ Marcoleta’s ‘Give Up KIG’ Remarks

The Commission on Appointments (CA) could possibly be held liable for violating the law if it amends the minutes of its Feb. 4 hearing that included Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s “give up the Kalayaan Island Group” remarks, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson said Article 170 of the Revised Penal Code provides penalties for the falsification of legislative documents, adding this was why he cautioned against this during his privilege speech in the Senate last March 10.

“Falsification of legislative records is punishable under Art. 170 of the Revised Penal Code. That is why we must carefully study the legal implications. As of now, Marcoleta’s motion to amend his remarks is still pending,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

“I have relayed this concern to Senate President Vicente Sotto III because he is also the CA chairman. We must be careful lest we be charged with falsification of legislative records and be implicated as co-conspirators because we approved the amendment,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: CA Posibleng Panagutin sa Falsification of Records sa ‘Pag-amyenda’ sa ‘Give Up KIG’ Remarks ni Marcoleta

Continue reading “Lacson: CA May Be Held Liable for Falsifying Records in ‘Amending’ Marcoleta’s ‘Give Up KIG’ Remarks”