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Sponsorship Speech for Ambassador Raphael Lotilla and 3 FSOs at the Commission on Appointments

Mr. Chairman, distinguished members of the Commission on Appointments, this Representation as the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs presided over a public hearing this morning to deliberate on the nomination of one (1) Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary; and the ad interim appointments of three (3) Foreign Service Officers consisting of two (2) Senior Officials promoted to the rank of Chief of Mission, Class II; and, one (1) Senior Official promoted to the rank of Career Minister.

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Lacson Scores Marcoleta ‘Hypocrisy’ on Parliamentary, Inter-Parliamentary Courtesy

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday scored Sen. Rodante Marcoleta over his “hypocrisy” regarding parliamentary and inter-parliamentary courtesy, by disregarding and invoking these when they suit his interests.

Lacson said that while Marcoleta opposed inter-parliamentary courtesy in inviting House members including former Speaker Martin Romualdez to Blue Ribbon Committee hearings, he insisted that parliamentary courtesy be followed in rushing the approval of the budget of the Office of the Vice President in 2024.

“Such hypocrisy. Such a double standard. Such a farce that does not dignify an answer, Mr. President,'” Lacson said in a privilege speech.

In Filipino: Lacson, Binatikos ang ‘Hypocrisy’ ni Marcoleta sa Usaping Parliamentary at Inter-Parliamentary Courtesy

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Lacson: Chinese Website Shows How Marcoleta’s WPS Narratives Mirror China’s Position

A Chinese website shows how the narratives of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on the West Philippine Sea align with those of China, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson said Marcoleta’s statements, including those on the Kalayaan Island Group, appeared to mirror those posted on the website of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Curiously, Mr. President, these narratives align with those of the Chinese narratives, plucked directly from the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official website, Mr. President,” Lacson said in a privilege speech.

“Kitang kita natin kung anong sinabi ng website ng Ministry of Foreign Affairs ng People’s Republic of China, yan din ang kanyang sinasabi (We can see clearly that what the website of China’s MOFA says, that is also what he says),” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Chinese Website, Ibinuking kung Paano Sinasalamin ng WPS Narratives ni Marcoleta ang Posisyon ng China

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Lacson: Marcoleta Liable for Indirect Bribery Over Undeclared Campaign Donations

Sen. Rodante Marcoleta may be liable for indirect bribery over his undeclared campaign funds in last year’s senatorial elections, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson noted that Marcoleta’s attempts to explain his failure to disclose his campaign contributors in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) smack of admission against interest.

He added that while Marcoleta and his legal team claimed he received the contributions before he became a candidate, he was still a public official at the time – a representative of SAGIP party list in the House.

In Filipino: Lacson: Maaaring Managot si Marcoleta sa Indirect Bribery Dahil sa Hindi Idineklarang Campaign Donations

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Lacson Defends Blue Ribbon Committee’s Institutional Processes Against Marcoleta’s ‘Pagbibida-Bida’

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday defended the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s institutional processes against the “pagbibida-bida” (know-it-all actions) of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on the committee’s investigation into the flood control scandal.

In a privilege speech, Lacson, who chairs the Blue Ribbon Committee, refuted what he called Marcoleta’s “tirades and prevarications in and out of the Senate” targeting him.

“Much as I would like to abide by what my elders had taught me that “silence is the best response to nonsense,” I am constrained to take the floor to set the record straight and correct the prevarications spewed on this very floor by one of our colleagues, namely Senator Rodante Marcoleta,” he said.

“Like on many past occasions, I could have effortlessly dismissed Senator Marcoleta’s statements, as I refuse to dignify his ego-driven provocations. But when the attacks shift from professional to obsessively personal, I must shut the whole political circus down – firmly, completely, and without ambiguity,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Binoljak si Marcoleta sa Pagbibida-Bida sa Blue Ribbon Probe

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