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Lacson Pushes Shorter Time to Act on Excise Fuel Taxes

Citing the “extraordinary” circumstances caused by the war in Iran, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday pushed for a shorter time for the President before suspending – or restoring – the excise tax on fuel upon the recommendation of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC).

Lacson suggested to reduce the period to average the Dubai crude oil price based on Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) from the present one month to two weeks before suspending excise taxes, so consumers can immediately feel some relief from rising fuel costs.

“With all due respect, two weeks is not irrelevant. It has a big effect on consumers. Ang two weeks na matitipid mo sa pagkarga ng gas, malaking bagay yan (With all due respect, a two-week difference is not irrelevant. It has a big effect on consumers. Two weeks where they can save on fuel prices is a big deal),” he said during his interpellation of Senate Bill 1982, allowing the automatic suspension or reduction of excise tax on petroleum products.

In Filipino: Lacson, Isinulong ang Mas Maikling Panahon para Aksyunan sa Excise Fuel Taxes

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Lacson: Former Governor Singson Offers to Testify on Flood Control Mess

Former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson has offered to testify before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson said he has tentatively scheduled the next hearing of the Blue Ribbon panel on April 14, but added this could be held “much earlier.”

“He sent a letter, he indicated he wanted to testify. Sabi ko yes if you are testifying on flood control projects, we will schedule a hearing. Tentatively we scheduled it for April 14. but if we can hold it much earlier, why not?” Lacson said in an interview.

In Filipino: Lacson: Dating Gobernador Singson, Nag-Alok na Magpatestigo sa Flood Control Issue

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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

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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

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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

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