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Privilege Speech on the Claims of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta

Mr. President, distinguished Majority Leader, thank you for allowing me to have the floor on a matter of personal and collective privilege.

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. While in his two recent privilege speeches, he mostly referred to this representation as the “BRC Chairman,” in my manifestation today, I will refer to him by his name.

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Lacson Raises Questions of ‘Logic and Basic Math’ on Cash Delivery Claims of 18 Ex-‘Marines’

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Monday raised questions concerning the logic and “basic mathematics” behind the claims of 18 former military men linked to a P805-billion cash delivery scheme, before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee can convene a hearing on the matter.

In a privilege speech, Lacson said this is not meant to belittle the testimonies of the 18, but to ensure that the credibility and reliability of the information sources and the information itself “adhere to rational and logical standards of believability.”

“To be clear, while every imputation of a crime warrants our attention, none deserves our blind deference. In the same manner that everyone has a right to be heard, it is not a license to mislead. Hence, while I reserve judgment on the merits of the testimonies, I am duty-bound to raise questions of logic and – at the very least – basic mathematics,” he said.

“Siguradong bibigyang-kulay na naman ng mga trolls ang mga tanong na ito. Pero isipin na lang natin: kung magagamit ang mga nasabing alegasyon bilang instrumento ng propaganda o anumang motibo, hindi ba dapat ay logical at mathematically possible man lamang ang mga akusasyon (I am sure trolls will throw shade on these questions. But we must think: if the allegations are used as instruments of propaganda, shouldn’t they at least be logical and mathematically possible)?” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Nagtanong sa ‘Logic and Basic Math’ ng mga Pahayag sa Cash Delivery ng 18 Ex-‘Marines’

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On the ‘Believability’ of Ex-Soldiers’ Cash Delivery Story: Privilege Speech on the 18 ‘ex-Marines’

Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I rise today on a matter of personal and collective privilege.

As chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, I have been subject of criticisms for not scheduling the 18 ex-military personnel who faced the media in an organized press conference at the historic Club Filipino on the eve of the 40th (anniversary of the) EDSA People Power Revolution to be called and testify before your Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations.

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Lacson Weighs ‘Believability’ of Ex-Soldiers’ Cash Delivery Story

The math doesn’t lie – and right now, the story of 18 ex-military men on supposedly delivering P805 billion in cash to certain individuals still doesn’t add up, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Monday.

A still-wary Lacson said that if all the details of the 18 ex-soldiers were true, those behind the cash delivery scheme would not have finished their deliveries until 2028 at the earliest.

“Even as we speak, I continue to fact-check the claims. It would be hard to call a hearing if these were lacking in believability,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino, in an interview on DZMM radio.

In Filipino: Lacson, Tinitimbang ang ‘Believability’ ng Kuwento ng mga Dating Sundalo sa Paghahatid ng Pera

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Lacson Proposes Constitutional Fix to BARMM Polls Measure

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Monday proposed a fix to address a potential constitutional infirmity in a bill proposing the scheduling of elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

While Lacson pointed out that he does not object to Senate Bill 1823, he cited a possible issue involving the constitutional mandate for synchronized national and local elections.

“At the outset, let me clarify that I am not objecting to the measure under consideration. Rather, this is a manifestation of concern, particularly on a potential Constitutional infirmity,” he said in his interpellation of the Senate bill.

In Filipino: Lacson, Nagmungkahi ng Pag-amyenda upang Matugunan ang Posibleng Isyung Konstitusyonal sa Panukalang Halalan sa BARMM

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