Posts

Posted on

Lacson Reiterates Need for Stricter Penalties vs Espionage Amid Recent Espionage Activities

Recent foreign espionage activities targeting the Philippines’ state secrets underscore the need for stricter penalties, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson emphasized on Thursday.

Lacson said that while he has filed a bill to address the issue as early as last July, the proposed measure is still languishing at the committee level.

“It was one of the first bills I filed in the 20th Congress, to update our anti-espionage law. Our current law is a Commonwealth Act dating back to 1941, whose penalties are too light. So I say we need to strengthen the law to address modern-day threats,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZRH radio.

“Our world has changed, and spying is detrimental to our national security,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Kailangan ng Mas Mahigpit na Parusa vs Pag-Eespiya Kasunod ng Kamakailang Espionage Activities

Continue reading “Lacson Reiterates Need for Stricter Penalties vs Espionage Amid Recent Espionage Activities”

Posted on

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.

Continue reading “Sponsorship Speech for Ambassador Raphael Lotilla and 3 FSOs at the Commission on Appointments”

Posted on

Lacson: Philippine Lawmaker’s Echoing China’s Position on Territory ‘Unsettling’

Unsettling. This was how Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson described Wednesday the prospect of a Philippine lawmaker echoing the position of China on territorial disputes, especially amid the conflict in the Middle East.

Lacson said Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s narratives on the West Philippine Sea mirroring those posted on the website of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has implications on our national security.

“It’s unsettling to say the least. This is national security we’re talking about. Especially delicate ang situation parang in the advent of the Iran War, parang iniisip ng marami baka mag-World War III (many fear this may lead to World War III),” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson: ‘Unsettling’ ang Pag-Echo ng Mambabatas sa Posisyon ng Tsina sa Usaping Teritoryo

Continue reading “Lacson: Philippine Lawmaker’s Echoing China’s Position on Territory ‘Unsettling’”

Posted on

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

Continue reading “Lacson Scores Marcoleta ‘Hypocrisy’ on Parliamentary, Inter-Parliamentary Courtesy”

Posted on

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

Continue reading “Lacson: Chinese Website Shows How Marcoleta’s WPS Narratives Mirror China’s Position”