Senator Panfilo M. Lacson today sought a formal inquiry on how inside information from last week’s executive session on the allegedly anomalous National Broadband Network deal investigation was leaked to the media. Continue reading “Ping Seeks Inquiry on Executive Session Leak, Rules Violation”
Tag: Advocacies
The $329.5-million deal with China’s ZTE Corp. for a national broadband network deal is too big and reeks too much for Malacañang to sweep it under the rug with a “suspension” order and a series of gag orders on its officials. Continue reading “ZTE Deal Too Big, Reeking to Remain Swept Under the Rug”
It would have given us more comfort if the government suspended the project to review its viability and cost-effectiveness. The next question is, for how long will it remain suspended?
The announcement, however, should not deter the Senate committees from pursuing the investigation on the ZTE national broadband network contract. The people want the truth and nothing less.
On the other hand, the suspension of the deal is redundant, but deemed necessary by Malacañang especially after the dismal performance of its Cabinet members in trying to defend the deal before the Senate hearing on the matter.
Indeed, no amount of fancy terms and technicalities could convince the senators – and the public – from harboring a sense of distrust about the nature of the deal. Thus the suspension order, announced on a weekend with “executive privilege” written all over it, to cover the stench of a stinking deal.
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Malacañang and its allies in the Senate should first get their acts together.
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson extended the unsolicited advice Thursday as he noted the conflicting statements on the matter by two pro-administration senators and no less than President Arroyo. Continue reading “Lacson to Palace, Senate Allies: Get Your Acts Together on ZTE Deal”
Mr. President:
I rise today on a matter of personal and collective privilege. I rise as a Filipino who has been paying by way of onerous tax impositions and deprivation of proper services, the burden of a huge public debt. I rise on behalf of two generations that will come after us who will be saddled with paying the debts this administration has contracted and obligated.
In the Special Joint Investment Coordinating Committee (ICC) and Technical Board Meeting of the President’s Cabinet held on 26 March 2007, the Department of Transportation and Communications took up with the economic team, particularly Finance Sec. Margarito Teves and then NEDA Director-General Romulo Neri along with their support staff, the so-called National Broadband Network Project.
Warning that national security may be at stake, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson sought Wednesday a parallel Senate investigation into the anomalous $329-million national broadband network deal the Philippine government inked with Chinese firm ZTE Corp. Continue reading “Lacson Seeks Parallel Probe of $329-M ZTE Deal”
Speech before the Federation of Accredited Customs Brokers and Forwarders of the Philippines, Traders Hotel, Pasay City
I am very happy to be with you tonight. I have a message to give. But more importantly, I’d listen to yours.
To President Marivic Briones goes my gratitude for her very kind words; and earlier, to her very kind invitation. She is one lady whose word does not fall into a lapse of judgment.
I know where her heart is. It beats everyday for the amendment of Sec. 29 of RA 9280. Continue reading “Against Corruption: A Clean Political Leadership – The Only Way”
Message to The Young Men of De Molay
This is the Year of the Pig. Fortune tellers start telling who is in and who is out, who will get killed and who will survive, who will get rich and who will get poor. And my first message is: You and I are not pigs. We were in created in the image of God. In short, hindi tayo baboy.
And that reminds me of a story.
Once upon a recent time, God sent a saint to earth. His mission was simple: persuade everyone to change his evil ways. The saint came to earth, went to Congress, visited the offices of the BIR and the Bureau of Customs, Malacañang and the LTO, but quite expectedly failed to persuade anyone. Discouraged, he went back to heaven and reported his failure. Continue reading “PIGS We are Not”
Speech before the Rotary Club of Manila
I feel honored today. It is good to be with you again. After all, it is not every week that one is given the chance to speak before the oldest of the country’s Rotary Clubs – certainly not the kind that Spokesman Toting Bunye has insulted. I mean that to be the truth – not the truth that Malacanan Palace speaks and expresses each time we, Filipinos seek an explanation on Garcillano, on impeachment, on Venable and what have you.I feel honored today. It is good to be with you again. After all, it is not every week that one is given the chance to speak before the oldest of the country’s Rotary Clubs – certainly not the kind that Spokesman Toting Bunye has insulted. I mean that to be the truth – not the truth that Malacanan Palace speaks and expresses each time we, Filipinos seek an explanation on Garcillano, on impeachment, on Venable and what have you.
The invitation of President Cesar made through fellow Rtn. Art to be your guest speaker today brings back good memories. This is the group to whom I delivered my first major address when I became Chief of the Philippine National Police in November 1999. I remember that was upon the invitation of a good friend and mentor and now a Senator and a distinguished colleague, the Hon. Alfredo S. Lim.
It was easy then to deliver my speech. There was a strong clamor for reforms in our country’s police force. In that address before you, I defined my response and vision. I remember talking about the ICU’s among the police – the inept, corrupt and undisciplined. At that time, I was already thinking of my antidote against the ICU’s. It was AID – aptitude, integrity, discipline. Continue reading “Where We Are”
Speech before Filipino-Indian Chamber of Commerce
I am very honored tonight to address your chamber. But the real honor belongs to the new leaders of the chamber. Tonight is their night. Tonight begins the first night of the rest of their lives. To them I convey my best wishes!
The invitation of President Ram Sitaldas was very forthright. In fact, he asked me to cover the subject he bluntly described as Past Imperfect, Future Tense. He made no reference to the present. Thus, I assume that the present is both imperfect and tense…
President Sitaldas is right. The imperfect past is a reality made permanent by history. Our most reasonable response can only be this: there is no saint without a past. Time to leave our past to God’s mercy. Continue reading “Past, Imperfect/Future, Tense: The Road Ahead For The Philippines”
At the National Congress of the BE NOT AFRAID Movement, The Manila Hotel
Prophetic words from GMA. Dec. 30, 2002. She knew it then. She knows it today.
(Audio) GMA: “My political efforts can only be result in never-ending divisiveness.”
GMA knows she brings disorder. GMA knows she brings despair. GMA knows she brings divisiveness. Yet, despite that knowledge, she continues to heap upon us the curse of her unwanted, unacceptable and unearned governance.
Mr. President, Distinguished colleagues in the Senate of the Republic:Mr. President, Distinguished colleagues in the Senate of the Republic:
I rise today on a matter of personal and collective privilege.
It has been more than two years since this representative was pilloried before media through accusations so vile and propaganda most vicious. So vile and vicious in fact that this chamber of peers took notice, conducted investigations complete with nationally televised public hearings and just recently, unveiled on this floor a committee report which would give the public the impression that my detractors were somehow right.
Mr. President,
There is a new dangerous office in government today. It is the first of its kind in our history. It is the Department of the Underground. And I rise to forewarn the Senate of the Republic and the Filipino people.
Mr. President, the Arroyo Administration has been in power for only a little more than eight months. It is powerful all right. It is powerfully corrupt.