Tag: Adrian Bersamin

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Lacson Plans to Invite Co, Ex-Soldiers to Next Blue Ribbon Hearing

Once its partial committee report on the flood control scandal is formally filed, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee may invite to its next hearing captured former Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co – along with Orly Guteza and the former soldiers who claimed to have delivered P805 billion in alleged kickbacks from anomalous flood projects to various personalities on Co’s orders.

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon panel Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday that the testimonies of Guteza and the ex-soldiers are “interconnected” with Co.

“Once Co is in the Philippines and the court allows it, I plan to have him attend the hearing along with Guteza and the ex-soldiers so we will find out who is truthful, who is telling half-truths, and who is lying,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

In Filipino: Lacson Plano Imbitahan si Co, Mga Ex-Sundalo sa Susunod na Blue Ribbon Hearing

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Lacson Calls Out Marcoleta’s ‘Fake’ Premises on Blue Ribbon Probe, Ethics ‘Complaint’

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Sunday called out the “fake” premises cited by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta regarding the Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into the flood control scandal, and an ethics complaint he has threatened to file against him.

Lacson said Marcoleta’s call to summon former Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin to the Blue Ribbon probe over alleged text messages with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was baseless, noting Bersamin was not mentioned in the committee’s records.

As for Marcoleta’s prospective ethics complaint over a supposed spliced video, Lacson said it was similarly unfounded.

“He’s been basing his statements and accusations on wrong premises. They’re all fake,” he said in English and Filipino, in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson, Tinuligsa ang Mga Pekeng Banat ni Marcoleta sa Blue Ribbon Probe at Bantang Ethics Complaint

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Lacson Feels Cost of Fighting Corruption – Again

Standing against corruption often comes at a high personal and political cost, and Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is experiencing this once more amid the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into the flood control scandal.

Lacson said his chairmanship of the Blue Ribbon Committee, which is looking into the issue, has cost him friends and earned him new enemies, like in 2003 when he pushed for the abolition of the pork barrel system.

But he maintained he will continue to fulfill his duty and follow the evidence, regardless of who gets hurt.

“Déjà vu. When I took the chairmanship of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, I knew I could lose some friends and create new enemies. I had exactly the same feeling when I delivered my ‘Living Without Pork’ privilege speech in March 2003,” he said on X Saturday.

In Filipino: Lacson, Ramdam Muli ang Kapalit ng Pagsusulong ng Laban sa Katiwalian

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Lacson: Public Must Stay ‘Angry’ But Not Violent, to Keep Pressure on Govt vs Corruption

The issuance of arrest warrants against ex-Rep. Elizaldy Co and several others tied to anomalous flood control projects shows the government means business in addressing the issue, but the public must remain angry without being violent to ensure such efforts continue, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson said authorities – particularly Malacanang, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice – cannot afford to ease up because those involved would be emboldened to try again if they get away with their actions now.

“I don’t want public outrage to lessen, so long as people remain non-violent. If public anger diminishes, government might slacken their efforts. As of now, they are working because of the pressure from our people. But this is so long as the outrage does not turn violent, like the Sept. 21 protest where some protesters damaged some traffic lights,” he said in Filipino in an interview on DWIZ radio.

“No matter how many, no matter how long it takes, get to the bottom to achieve the logical conclusion,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Dapat Manatiling ‘Galit’ Pero Hindi Marahas ang Publiko para Patuloy ang Laban ng Gobyerno vs Korapsyon

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