Top 20 National Issues, and Ping Lacson’s quotes on them
[Click/Tap here for the Filipino version]
THE ISSUES:
1. BAYANIHAN FUNDS: Judicious use of the Bayanihan funds.
2. BUDGET: Guarding against, and calling out, abuses in the national budget.
3. CORRUPTION: Consistent fight against all forms of corruption, the root cause of our nation’s ills.
4. DEBT: Fiscal discipline to arrest our ballooning national debt.
5. ECONOMY and DIGITIZATION: Working to revive the economy amid the effects of the pandemic, by minimizing opportunities for corruption.
6. EDUCATION: Preparing the future generations of Filipinos.
7. ENTERTAINMENT POLITICS: Prospective public servants should show they are ready to serve if they win.
8. ENVIRONMENT: Committing to environment issues as central to our political, social, and economical debate for policy-making.
9. FARMERS and FISHERFOLK: Supporting our farmers and fisherfolk, and fighting threats to their livelihood.
10. FREE INTERNET: Ensuring that information and technology has the widest accessibility among Filipinos.
11. HEALTH: Putting the premium on the health and well-being of Filipinos especially amid the pandemic.
12. ILLEGAL DRUGS: Protecting Filipinos from the scourge of illegal drugs.
13. MUPs and RETIREES: Giving our Military and Uniformed Personnel and retirees their due.
14. OFWs, LABOR FORCE, and UNEMPLOYMENT: Actions for our OFWs and local workers; and providing employment opportunities in midst of our economic breakdown.
15. PANDEMIC: Coping with and responding to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic effectively and efficiently.
16. PEACE and ORDER: Protecting citizens from crime.
17. SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH and DEVELOPMENT: Supporting our own scientists and R&D efforts to address the problems we face.
18. SENIOR CITIZENS: Giving our senior citizens the benefits they deserve under the law.
19. SPECIAL SECTORS: Legislation and other actions for various sectors in society.
20. WEST PHILIPPINE SEA: Upholding Philippine sovereignty.
* ATBP: Other issues affecting the nation.
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BAYANIHAN FUNDS
Underspending of Bayanihan 2 funds:
1. Some P205.117 billion was allotted for Bayanihan 2, but its spending was not maximized. Unfortunately, Bayanihan 2 ended June 30, 2021.
“We should keep in mind that underspending is determined not by fund releases but by obligations and disbursements. And based on my research, is there underspending? Yes!”
“Of the P205.117-billion allotment under Bayanihan 2, agencies incurred an obligation of P187.844 billion, or an obligation rate of 91.58 percent. But only P141.447 billion was disbursed, for a disbursement rate of 75.30% and 24.7% has not been disbursed. This can be considered huge underspending with P46.397 billion undisbursed and P17.273 billion unobligated.”
2. As a result, Filipinos whose lives and livelihood were affected by the pandemic did not get the assistance due them. These include those undergoing the “online learning program” of the Department of Education, as well as public utility vehicle drivers.
“If the money was not fully disbursed, the affected Filipinos suffer because they are denied the aid meant for them. It is a disservice to many, to say the least.”
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NATIONAL BUDGET
Using Limited Resources Wisely:
1. From 2017 to 2019, the government borrowed almost P1 trillion a year.
2. But for every P1 trillion it borrowed year in year out, it failed to spend P331 billion.
“From the DBM website, from 2017-2019, ang inuutang natin almost P1 trillion a year pero ang unused appropriation, P331B. Di ba yan hindi sound fiscal policy. Kung kailangan ng pamilya P10K, kinikita P8K, kailangan utang P2K. Bakit uutang ng P5K? Ang P3K hindi ka naman mag-invest, babayaran mo pa interest. Ganoon din sa national budget. P331B di magamit year in year out.”
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NO to CORRUPTION!
1. The public should help stop the vicious cycle of corruption:
“It is high time to end the vicious cycle involving corruption cases where those involved lie low until the issue dies down – and the public can play a more active role to achieve this.”
“Some officials have lost all sense of shame. Even if charges are filed against them, they just lie low because they know that once the issue dies down and the public no longer thinks much of it, they can go back to their old ways. That said, the vicious cycle of corruption is not limited to those in government. It takes two to tango: those who corrupt – and the public who wittingly or otherwise turns a blind eye.”
2. The government needs consistency in fighting corruption:
“Consistency in fighting corruption will play a major role not only in restoring the trust of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and other international financial institutions, but can solve many other problems that beset our country even as we grapple with the effects of the pandemic.”
3. ALL public servants should be excluded from the Bank Secrecy Act:
“When you enter the government service, you should not invoke the Bank Secrecy Act, to show transparency. This should apply to all public servants, from the President down to the lowest rank. Unfortunately, the bills I filed and refiled in this regard have not gotten off the ground.
In past years, we have seen a ‘selective’ implementation of laws. There must be consistency to regain trust. Until the people and the international community see that even perceived political allies are sent to jail for wrongdoings, there will always be that perception that certain influential people are exempt from our justice system.”
“In other words, more than leadership by example, it is more consistency that can make the big difference.”
4. We should end the huge leakage from corruption:
“As early as 2007, ang annual unused na appropriations pumapalo mahigit P400B. Bakit hindi gamitin?”
“Leakage sa corruption malaki-laki rin. Kung 20% ng budget nawawala sa corruption, kung maayos paggamit at lahat magagamit at di masasayang, malaki ang magagawa.”
5. Corruption in PhilHealth should end:
“I have posed a challenge to the corrupt elements in PhilHealth, to declare a moratorium on corruption, at least during the pandemic. Who knows, they might actually learn that it feels good not to be corrupt, and thus develop an aversion to corruption.”
“Having said that, I also encourage those in PhilHealth who fight corruption in their own little way – the officials and rank-and-file who continue to provide information and documents – not to tire of blowing the whistle on corruption, even if we may not immediately see the results of their acts.”
“A corruption-free – and more importantly, corruption-averse – PhilHealth will not only ensure much-needed health benefits for all Filipinos in the long run. In the immediate term, it will ease the concerns of lawmakers, myself included, that the budget we pass for PhilHealth to do its job will not be lost to greed.”
6. Legislative output:
* Republic Act 9485: The Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 (13th Congress)
* Republic Act 9416: The Anti-Cheating Act of 2007 (13th Congress)
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NATIONAL DEBT
1. Debt up to P11.07 trillion as of end-May, and counting:
“Our national debt has ballooned to P11.07 trillion as of end-May. Each one of us, even those newly born, is in debt by P100,000. We must make sure taxpayers’ money will be used judiciously.”
2. Of the P5.024-trillion budget for 2022, P2 trillion may be for debt servicing:
“By 2022, given the proposed P5.024-trillion budget, it is discouraging to know that there will only be around P3 trillion funds left if we exceed P2 billion for our debt servicing next year.”
3. Excessive borrowing of funds is not sound financial policy:
“Borrowing of funds excessively which would later turn out unused, misused, and abused, is not a sound financial policy, as it means higher debt interest payments and imbalances on our overall cash flow.”
4. Our debt may go further up to P13 trillion:
“Lugmok ang ekonomiya natin, P11 trilyon ang utang from P9 trillion from December 2020. Bago bumaba ang Duterte admin, baka pumalo tayo P13 trilyon, from P9 trillion in Dec 2020.”
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ECONOMY and DIGITIZATION
1. Benefits of digitizing the economy:
“Pag nag-digitize tayo, ang daming ma-solve. Pati revenue and expenditure side. Tayo na lang ang bansa na may DICT pero masyadong behind sa digitalization ng ekonomiya at pamumuhay.”
“I am confident that following the digitization track is the way to espouse effective and efficient performance in monitoring revenue collection and public expenditure. Just imagine minimal, if not totally none of the human intervention in tax and customs collection and automated processes for government transactions – that would mean lesser and ultimately zero odds of ‘tara’ and ‘tong-pats’, and all other forms and levels of kickbacks that stimulate the vicious cycle of graft and corruption in our country.”
2. Other countries already digitizing:
“I’ve been talking to experts, Estonia and Ukraine, maski kanilang agriculture naka-digitalize. Computer generated, laki ng tulong in terms of economy kundi sa pagkuha ng revenues. Sa atin kitang kita natin.”
“In this age of modern tech dapat nariyan na tayo sa phase ng digitization. Hindi pa huli ang lahat. Dapat mag-digitize na tayo hanggang maaga.”
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EDUCATION
1. Calling out duplicate projects:
“It is no secret I consistently fought to delete duplicative programs in every appropriations measure. One of these is Tulong Dunong. I am grateful in 2019, my call was finally heeded to transfer whatever amount there is under the Tulong Dunong program to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education.”
“Of the P8.5-billion increase in the CHED’s P43.8-billion budget for the Universal Access to Quality Education, only P3.285B was allotted for TES. If the remaining P5.23B is a lump sum, “I will suspect sa Tulong Dunong na naman ito napunta.”
Sen. Lacson proposed an amendment where the amount be returned under TES. “I assume it will be acceptable to CHED for proper monitoring.”
2. Realigned P8.3 billion in the 2017 budget fund the Free Tuition of students from State Universities and Colleges (SUCs):
For the 2017 budget, Senator Lacson realigned the P8.3B originally intended for projects in ARMM to be implemented by the ARMM Government (ARGMM) but was taken out by our Congressmen and transferred to DPWH. The effect is that the P8.3B will still fund projects to be implemented in ARMM, but instead of the ARGMM as the implementing authority, it will now be the DPWH.
Senator Lacson believes that the autonomy of the Autonomous Region should be respected within the bounds of their Organic Act and as mandated by our Constitution. With the P8.3 Billion ARMM budget lodged under the DPWH, under the imprimatur of Congressmen, they easily circumvented the Autonomy granted to the people of the Autonomous Region by virtue of Republic Act No. 9054 or the Organic Act of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and as mandated by the Constitution.
3. Seeking the restoration of P4.8B in TESDA’s 2019 budget:
“In 2018 they received the budget from the Commission on Higher Education in September. So there was little time to obligate. That is the reason why they have a very low obligation rate in 2018, only 58 percent.”
“I suppose the low obligation rate is the justification for not giving them enough money because they could not absorb the money. But it’s not their own doing. Had they received their portion of the budget earlier, they could have obligated much larger portion of their budget.”
4. For 3.3M children with disabilities:
In 2019, Senator Lacson championed the P100 million budget for assistive devices and universal design materials for education of children with disabilities; P5 million for development of materials on sexuality education to combat teen and early pregnancy; and, P2 million for advocacy and campaign on Water and Sanitation and Health (WASH).
The proposed appropriations sought to benefit about 3.3 million children with disabilities in the Philippines, or about 8% of the population between ages 0 to 18 (UNICEF, 2016). For children with disabilities, schools were often physically inaccessible or unable to cater to their needs. In fact, only less than 3% of Filipino children with disabilities have access to education. For SY 2015-2016, DepEd has recorded around 250,000 enrollees with certain exceptionalities at the elementary level and around 100,000 at the high school level.
5. Supporting the increase of the budget of the Department of Education in the FY 2021 Budget for the following programs:
* Flexible Learning Options by the amount of P3,600,000,000. To support and give priority to the provision of self-learning modules to financially-challenged learners who have no access to internet and technology.
* Last Mile Schools Program by the amount of P5,000,000,000. The program seeks to reach out to far-flung communities and ultimately, to close the gap between students from Geographically Isolated, Disadvantaged, and Conflict-Affected (GIDCA) areas and their counterparts in urban centers.
6. Institutional amendments:
* In 2020 and 2021 budget amendments: Sen. Lacson has always pushed for additional budget to fund the Last Miles Schools Program. The program intends to improve the learning condition of the students from Geographically Isolated, Disadvantaged and Conflict-Affected (GIDCA) areas and their counterparts in urban centers. With insufficient funding, the goal of the Program will not be achieved and will prolong the hardship of our geographically challenged communities.
* In 2018 and 2020 budget amendments: Senator Lacson advocates funding for milk and food supplements for severely wasted and wasted learners under the School–based Feeding Program of the Department of Health.
7. Legislative output:
* Republic Act 11476: GMRC and Values Education Act (co-author; Senate Bill 1224) 18th Congress
* Republic Act 11053: The Anti-Hazing Law of 2018 (Senate Bill 1662) 17th Congress
* Republic Act 9163: National Service Training Program Act of 2001 (12th Congress)
* Senate Bill 1247: An Act Strengthening and Protecting the Land Ownership of DepEd School Sites View/Download the bill
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ENTERTAINMENT POLITICS
“I think it’s about time because of all these developments, maging mature ang electorate. Kung sino tumutulak tingnan muna anong lawak ng problema.”
“Kami ni SP Sotto naroon sa prosesong nagkokonsulta, sa consultation kami. Kung sa tingin namin di namin kakayanin ang nakaabang na problema bakit pa tayo tutuloy, ano io-offer natin, failure?”
“Dapat may knowledge how to solve the enormous problems. Over the years naging takbo ng pulitika sino magaling sumayaw, kumanta, magbigay ng lip service o magbigay ng pera.” “General itong statement ko, this is a matter of fact. Alam natin ito ang reality. Kaya lang sinasabi ko dapat mamulat ang kababayan natng hindi biro biro ang problema ng bansa natin para pagtuunan mas mature na pagiisip ng ating leaders. Di lang mature voters ang kailangan kundi mature candidates.”
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ENVIRONMENT
1. OPARR, to Help Victims of Yolanda:
Senator Lacson served as the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (PARR), overall manager and coordinator of rehabilitation, recovery, and reconstruction efforts for those affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). Despite the limitations and difficulties inherent to his mandate, Lacson and his staff managed to put together the Yolanda Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (CRRP), which detailed institutional arrangements, including public-private partnerships; and cluster structures for infrastructure, social services, resettlement, livelihood, and support to accomplish the ‘Build Back Better’ vision for the 171 cities and municipalities in 14 provinces across the six regions devastated by Typhoon Haiyan.
2. Proposed Philippine Building Act of 2019:
Sen. Lacson authored Senate Bill 1239, the proposed Philippine Building Act of 2019, which will strengthen of the existing National Building Code of the Philippines. This will ensure that overall policy on how buildings and structures are in line with disaster preparedness— a key to saving lives and property against the increasing number of natural and human-induced disasters.
3. No Nation Can Do It Alone:
“The effects of global warming have become evident in that a lot has changed in our environment. The deadly flooding that devastated parts of western Europe is the most recent – and grim – proof of this.”
“No nation can do it alone. It is time for the community of nations to really take this issue very seriously. The Earth can only take so much abuse, cruelty and punishment from man. If we still cannot see some obvious acts of revenge from Mother Nature, we may wake up one day personally witnessing her fury upon us, one way or the other.”
“Isang kayang gawin, magtanim ng puno. This calls for civic duty of the citizenry. Ito pinangunahan ng Rotary Clubs.”
4. ‘I Love the Ocean’ Movement honorary member:
In May 2000, then PNP chief Lacson became an honorary member of the “I Love the Ocean Movement,” receiving his honorary membership card at Camp Crame.
5. Budget:
In 2019, Senator Lacson pioneered the increase of P2.352 million for the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) to fund the monitoring and inventory of greenhouse gases of Pollution Laboratories in Visayas and Mindanao. To recall, he also proposed the P2.5-million budget increase to fund the establishment of these pollution laboratories in 2018 in line with the requirements of the EMB.
For the 2021 budget, Lacson championed the funding for the “Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program for LGUs” under the 2021 budget of the DILG-Office of the Secretary. P20 billion was allocated for the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of areas directly affected by Taal Volcano eruption, Typhoon “Quinta”, Super Typhoon “Rolly” and Typhoon “Ulysses” under the Allocations for Local Government Units-Local Government Support Fund.
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FARMERS and FISHERFOLK
1. Author, Republic Act 10969: The Free Irrigation Law (Senate Bill 43) 17th Congress:
2. Senate Resolution 685: Calling for the Constitution of the Senate Committee of the Whole to Investigate the Food Security Crisis brought about by the ASF and Adoption of Policy Solutions Contingent on Importation that may Cause Billions of Revenue Losses and Further Perpetrate Unabated Corruption in the Form of ‘Tong-Pats’ (18th Congress)
3. Co-Author, Senate Resolution 684: Expressing the Sense of the Senate to Persuade the Chief Executive to Disapprove the DA’s Recommendation to Lower Tariff Rates on and increase MAV of Imported Pork Products; and Urge DA to Recommend to Declare a State of National Calamity Due to the Impact of ASF on the Swine Industry (18th Congress)
4. In the budget: Sen. Lacson supports the Department of Agrarian Reform by proposing to augment its budget under his institutional amendments to the FY 2021 Budget. He argues that DAR contributes to propelling the growth of the agriculture sector by gearing our agrarian reform beneficiaries into commercial production, away from their traditional and individualistic farming methods. As DAR stabilizes land ownership among the beneficiaries, the agency aims to purposively organize them to engage in cluster farming and consolidation through the agrarian reform beneficiary organizations’ public-private collaboration. Hence, in order to do this, he proposed the increase of the agency’s budget by P965,042,000 to fund the following projects:
* Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) —P15,693,000
* MEGA FARMS Pilot Project —P500,000,000
* Neo-Economic Opportunities in Government-Owned Land Distribution (NEO-GOLD) —P449,349,000
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FREE INTERNET
1. Pioneered the budget of the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), particularly, the National Broadband Program which we direly need to rebound from the current COVID-19 pandemic, where all sectors are forced to digitize.
2. Supports the Technology Empowerment for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurs, and Economic Development (Tech4ED) project, which is a shared facility providing access to ICT-enabled services and relevant content. Tech4ED serves as a conduit for efficient service delivery of the government. More so, it is a potent tool for the empowerment and participation of the unserved and underserved communities.
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HEALTH
“It is sad that as individuals, we have developed this wrong attitude of checking on our medicine cabinets at home only when somebody already gets sick or hurt, when we should always be prepared with making available medicines for common colds, cough, fever as well as unexpected injuries and emergencies.”
“But it is pathetic that our national health authorities are no different, being reactive instead of proactive. Knowing the Delta variant has already gripped India and Indonesia, it seems they have not prepared adequately.”
2. Going after corruption in PhilHealth:
“We can – and must – make our health care program more meaningful by immediately putting in jail all those who stole our money, directly or otherwise.”
“A PhilHealth under new leadership should make sure that the funds it gets for 2021 to implement the Universal Health Care Act go to the intended beneficiaries instead of its favored few.”
3. Legislative output:
* Co-author with SP Sotto, Senate Resolution 475: Calling for the Constitution of the Senate Committee of the Whole to Investigate Corruption in PhilHealth Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
* For the 2021 budget: To achieve one of the goals of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, Senator Lacson proposed to increase the proposed appropriations for Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) from P5.9 Billion to 14.6 Billion or a budgetary adjustment by P8.6 Billion in 2021. However, under the Senate version only P6.4 Billion is recommended. HFEP seeks to build health facilities and to purchase hospital equipment in geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) and other identified UHC sites.
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ILLEGAL DRUGS
1. Reviewing overall strategy, need for holistic approach:
“As we see it now baka kalagitnaan pa lang dapat review na ang overall strategy. Naka-focus tayo sa law enforcement nakalimutan natin ibang aspeto, prevention and rehabilitation aspects.”
“For the longest time lahat na drug lord na malalaki sa Munti. Ang drug lords, ang sarap ng buhay roon. Tapos marami tayong nababalitaan daang milyon ang lagayan tapos makumpiska sa BOC ilang tonelada. How about ang nakalusot? Ang daming nakalusot na di nahuli, lumabas sa investigation nakalusot, nailusot naman. Siguro dapat review-hin. May 1 taon pa, at mag-adjust sa overall strategy.”
2. Drug prevention program for the youth:
“Noong time ni President Estrada, nag-import kami ng LA Police, DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). Nag-implement niyan dito ang pulis na maganda ang presentation sa sarili at alam ang sinasabi, nagle-lecture sila, guest teachers sa schools, tungkol sa droga ang sinasabi sa elem and even HS students. Yan ang prevention.”
“There is a solution in sight, but it will take a long time bago ma-address ang kabuuan na problema sa illegal na droga.”
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MUPs and RETIREES
1. Championed Senate Joint Resolution 10, which seeks to authorize the increase in the base pay of military and other uniformed personnel in the government. It also included the adjustments of the pension of the retired MUPs as indexed to the base pay scale of MUP in the active service covering the period June to December 2019. It covers the Armed Forces of the Philippines – General Headquarters (AFP-GHQ), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
“On behalf of the 220,000 MUP retirees, let me say a lifetime ‘THANK YOU’ to PRRD for Joint Resolution No 1. No other President has shown such concern for those who served and offered their lives for the country and people. All we have to do is continue breathing for as long as we can.”
2. Legislative output:
* Senate Bill 312: Repealing the Minimum Height Requirement for Applicants to the PNP, BFP and BJMP (co-author with Sens. Zubiri, Sotto) View/Download the bill
* Republic Act 9166: An Act Increasing the Base Pay of the Members of the AFP (12th Congress)
* Republic Act 9163: National Service Training Program Act of 2001
* Senate Bill 249: The National Defense Act of 2019
3. Working on a mechanism for MUPs:
“Ang pangamba ang kailangang seed money para retirement pay ng MUP, P9.6 trillion. Hopefully ang legislation dito maipasa bago matapos ang admin kasi napaka-urgent nito”
4. Sponsored the funding requirements of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) for personnel complement and acquisition of medical equipment, both of which were not taken into consideration in their proposed budget for FY 2021. This will fund the payment for the additional 800 personnel at the minimum, with Contract of Service (COS) and Job Order (JO), in the VMMC. These personnel are front-liners essential to the day-to-day operations of the hospital, especially during the pandemic. It will also fund the acquisition of a new Cobalt-60 external beam radiotherapy machine which has been in use for more than 40 years is now considered obsolete and a health hazard.
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OFWs, LABOR FORCE, and UNEMPLOYMENT
1. Cash Allowance for Teachers:
One of Senator Lacson’s institutional amendments for fiscal years 2017 and 2018: For FY 2017, his amendment was to increase the appropriations for Cash Allowance to Teachers from P1,500 to P2,500. This was adopted in the 2017 GAA. Similarly, for FY 2018, his amendment was to increase the appropriations from P2,500 to P5,000, but only P3,500 was adopted. The increases in the funding for the Cash Allowance to Teachers have been championed by Senator Lacson during budget deliberations over the years.
Medical Examination for Public Schools Teachers by the amount of P910,209,000 for teachers nationwide, covering the 10,000 new teacher requirements, who perform frontline services, among which is the distribution of modules in public schools and food packs under the School-based Feeding Program
2. Nurses:
Through the efforts of Senator Lacson, the 2020 Budget included a special provision, “Increasing the Salary Grade of Government Nurses”, where the base pay of government nurses shall be Salary Grade 15, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s decision (G.R. 215746). With this Special Provision, the DBM was able to have a legal cover to upgrade the entry-level salaries of government nurses through Budget Circular 2020-4.
“Definitely, no amount is enough to show our appreciation for the sacrifices and hard work of our nurses, especially those in the front lines. Still, this pay increase – which was sought even before the COVID pandemic hit – will be of help to them in one way or another.”
3. Prevention of Child Labor:
Sen. Lacson championed the Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program. Through his amendment in the 2021 National Budget, the appropriations for the program under the DOLE-Office of the Secretary for Welfare Services increased by P52,132,000 in the 2021 budget
4. Digitization to Address Joblessness:
“First kailangan ma-address ang pandemic yan ang top priority. Ang long-term ang economy natin kasi tayo na lang nagpapahuli sa digitization.”
“We can find solutions to unemployment and loss of jobs kung sumisibol ang economy. So we must innovate and adapt to the prevailing situation.”
“We are in consultation with qualified resource persons to craft a master plan to address all these issues.”
5. Legislative Output:
* Senate Bill 1380: An Act Mandating All Barangays to Create a Registry of Skilled Workers View/Download the bill (18th Congress)
* Senate Bill 253: Upgrading the Benefits and Incentives of Barangay Tanods. View/Download the bill (18th Congress)
* Senate Bill 252: Additional Barangay Captains’ Insurance Act of 2019
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PANDEMIC
1. Government needs to review its response:
“Now is the time for an evaluation, what the government did right and what it did wrong. Instead of rejecting constructive criticism, it should accept it as part of their planning and continuing assessment. Our aim is to call their attention to things they may not realize. No one has a monopoly of wisdom and knowledge.”
“The plans should not be limited to slideshow presentations. Pagdating sa demo, perfect. Pero baka hindi napag-aralan ang ibang challenges na practical ang application, hindi na-anticipate. Kaya dapat tuloy-tuloy ang pag-aaral.”
“The private, especially the business sector, is the national government’s natural ally. Aside from their patriotism and corporate social responsibility, they cannot afford to have their employees get hit by COVID because their business will suffer, thus their willingness to help. Should we not grab such an opportunity?”
2. Pandemic has made the 2022 elections the most serious:
“This is serious, very serious especially because of the pandemic. I think the decision we will make in 2022 is the most serious and important decision we all have to make and we should really think carefully.”
“My hope and prayer is that the campaign leading to the May 2022 polls will be a campaign of issues, and not a campaign of entertainment.”
3. Pandemic’s effect on life, economy:
“Nakabaon tayo sa utang. Maraming kumakalam ang sikmura, maraming nawalan ng trabaho. Maraming nagsara mga negosyo.”
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PEACE and ORDER
“The culture of kotong stopped and my men followed my strict “no-take policy” because I not only followed a single standard, but also showed leadership by example.”
“If your subordinates so much as see you violating your own standards, why would they follow your orders? That is why there is no substitute for leadership by example.”
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SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY; RESEARCH and DEVELOPMENT
1. Call for bigger budget for R&D:
“I have repeatedly raised the issue of the minuscule budgetary allocation for research and development (R&D) in the national budget year in, year out – an average of, lo and behold, 0.4% of the annual budget from 2016 to 2020, including 0.39% for 2020. For the same five-year period, the DOST’s average budget is only P20 billion or a meager 0.56% against the trillions of pesos that we pass every year as our national budget. This, even as I consistently amended the budget measure by augmenting the budgets of the Department of Science and Technology and its programs. For 2020, I sought a P50M increase for NICER, P100M increase for STAMINA4Space and a P100M increase for CRADLE; as well as P537.991M for UPLB’s National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.”
“Had our homegrown scientists been given the much-needed additional budgetary support for R&D, who knows how much more they can contribute? As it is, by not supporting them adequately, we’re wasting their talents and opportunities to help our nation.”
2. We should develop our own R&D instead of relying on ‘Google shopping’:
“Kung kailangan ng kagamitan, ang R&D natin Google. Noong Chief PNP ako meron tayong directorate for R&D tapos pag may kailangan Google kayo para mag-shopping.”
“Di ba dapat harness tayo sariling kakayahan para export ang invention natin? Ang scientist natin nasa ibang bansa kasi walang suporta ang gobyerno.”
3. Championing R&D budget:
* Support to the University of the Philippines-Los Baños-National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH) (P537,991,000). BIOTECH has evolved into a premier research and development (R&D) institution for basic and applied research on molecular biology and biotechnology. Hence, it is imperative that in this day and age of Artificial Intelligence and Biotechnology, BIOTECH’s continuing effort to modernize and improve its operations in accordance with its mandate should be supported.
While the FY 2020 appropriations carry in whole the amendments for the University of the Philippines-Los Baños-National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), which were unfortunately tagged “For Later Release” and realigned for COVID-19 response, only a total of P75 Million was accepted out of P537 Million recommendation for 2021.
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SENIOR CITIZENS
* Authored Senate Bill 29: Parents Welfare Act of 2019.
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SPECIAL SECTORS
* Senate Bill 1210: Electrical Engineering Act. View/Download the bill
* Republic Act 9484: The Philippine Dental Act of 2007 (13th Congress)
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WEST PHILIPPINE SEA
1. Balance of Power:
“Ang problema natin were so friendly with China, nakaligtaan natin may balance of power. Paano tayo mag-shift uli sa foreign policy natin na binabalewala natin ang pwede mag-provide ng balance of power, which is the west? Kung doon ka kakampi masyado may problema ka rin.”
“Diplomatic protests may not be too helpful anymore as China continues to ignore the same. Further, while it is a standard document used to call the attention of the other party, China’s consistent attitude of taking for granted such action taken by the DFA reduces it to a mere point of information. That said, perhaps China would not be so dismissive if we and our allies, both in the Asia-Pacific and the west, show we can band together to maintain a balance of power in the region, including the West Philippine Sea.”
“Dapat magsimula tayo na nagkakaisa tayo na dapat ipaglaban natin ang ating sovereignty and territorial integrity. Dapat walang kinalaman ang bakuna sa usaping territorial integrity and national sovereignty.”
4. Review of Diplomatic Ties with China:
“Maybe a review of the country’s diplomatic relations is timely and called for. All the diplomatic protests that the Secretary of Foreign Affairs filed have been ignored as if nothing was filed at all.”
5. Pressing on to Complete the Arbitral Victory:
“Let us see this day for what it truly is: Commemorating a hard-won battle, but a victory still incomplete. We must, therefore, press on to complete the victory.”
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ATBP.
HUMAN RIGHTS: Giving the highest priority to the protection and enhancement of human rights.
1. Sen. Lacson sponsored the budget of the Commission on Human Rights from 2016-2021. In 2021, CHR’s proposed budget amounts to P907.098 million. This includes P39M for the Human Rights Violation Victims Memorial Commission.
2. He also authored Senate Resolution 559, Exercising Oversight Authority over the Defense Sector on the Issue of Red-Tagging/Red-Baiting of Certain Personalities/Groups.
3. Lacson also authored Republic Act 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (12th Congress).
LEGACY: What Sen. Lacson wants to leave behind to the Filipino people.
“I would like to think that the best legacy we can leave behind sa next generation of Filipinos, yung magkaroon ng self-respect at saka ang dignity mabalik. How? Good government. At ang mga mamamayan natin natutong maibalik ang respect and trust sa govt and matutong magkaroon ng self-respect. Yan ang the best legacy we can leave behind. Not just me but people of my generation.”
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