Tag: AFP

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Lacson Backs PAF Review of Policy on Awards and Badges for Reservists

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday backed the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Reserve Command’s plan to review and strengthen its policies on the conferment of awards and honorary badges to reservists, saying each military decoration should represent a specific act of heroism, valor, courage, or an outstanding feat.

“Behind every ribbon pinned on a soldier’s uniform represents a medal. Every medal has a unique story about heroism, valor, courage and bravery, or an outstanding feat even outside the combat zone,” Lacson, who served in the Philippine Constabulary, said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson, Sinuportahan ang Pagsusuri ng PAF sa Patakaran sa mga Parangal at Badge para sa mga Reservist

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Lacson Vows Budgetary Support for AFP Drone Capability Development

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Thursday pledged budgetary support for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to develop drone capabilities for national defense, especially against external aggression.

Lacson gave the assurance to AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, noting that drones could provide the Philippines with a more practical and affordable defense capability compared to more expensive platforms such as warships and long-range missiles.

“I just want to find out (some details para) pagdating ng budget deliberations we can support the program, meron talaga kayong tangible program para mag-develop ng drones. Kasi ito lang ang pwede nating panlaban considering our situation (I just want to find out some details so that when we start budget deliberations, we can support the program if you have a tangible program to develop drones. Drones are the only practical option we have against external aggression, considering our situation),” he said at the confirmation hearing of AFP officials at the Commission on Appointments.

“I don’t think we have the wherewithal to build big warships and long-range missiles and the like. Meron ba tayong programa sa development ng drones, in case may external aggression? At least may laban man lang tayo maski wala tayong pera (I don’t think we have the wherewithal to build big warships or acquire long-range missiles and the like. Do we have a program to develop drones against external aggression? At least we have a fighting chance even if we don’t have enough funds),” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Nangako ng Suporta sa Badyet para sa Pagpapaunlad ng Drone Capability ng AFP

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Lacson Scores Marcoleta’s Ego-Driven Actions at CA Hearing

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Thursday scored the ego-driven actions of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta during Wednesday’s Commission on Appointments (CA) hearing on the confirmation of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officers and foreign service officers.

Lacson called out Marcoleta’s objecting to his manifestation for the prompt confirmation of the AFP and foreign service officers’ promotions – and agreeing to withdraw his objection, if Lacson would also withdraw his manifestation.

“Gusto niya, hindi raw siya mag-object, basta i-withdraw ko rin ang manifestation (ko). Ano siya, hilo? Ang gusto niya, ego yan eh. Para naman pakita niya na in-admit ko mali ang aking manifestation. Pinag-withdraw niya ako. Sabi ko, ano siya hilo? Di ko gagawin yan, ego lang yan. Hindi ako mag-play sa ego niya (He said he would not object so long as I withdraw my manifestation. Is he nuts? What he wants is to feed his ego, to make me admit that my manifestation was wrong. So is he nuts? I refused to accommodate him all for his ego. I’m not playing to his ego),” he said in an interview on DZBB radio.

“Kilala naman natin siya. Basta maipilit ang kanya, yan ang tama. Ayaw niya makinig ng explanation, ayaw niya makinig ng reason (We know him. He wants to insist that he is right, and he does not want to hear any explanation or listen to reason),” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Binoljak si Marcoleta Dahil sa Ego-Driven na Galaw sa Pagdinig ng CA

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Lacson Takes Up Cudgels for AFP Officers Affected by Senate Leadership Row

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Wednesday took up the cudgels for Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officers whose promotions awaiting confirmation by the Commission on Appointments (CA) were delayed by the Senate leadership row that started last May.

Lacson refuted the claim of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta that the affected AFP officers were considered bypassed because they fell short of the one-year ban, or one year before they reached retirement age.

“Just for clarity, I believe and I was told by the Secretary of the Commission on Appointments that the ad interim appointments of these fine gentlemen and lady is a mere resubmission of their previous ad interim appointments given before the May 25, 2026 resumption of the first regular session. And since this is a special session, it is a continuation of the first regular session,” Lacson said at the hearing of the CA defense committee.

“Therefore, hindi pa sila pasok sa one-year ban kasi hindi naman po nila kasalanan na nagkagulo-gulo kami sa Senado at hindi na-take up ang kanilang confirmation (Therefore, they are not covered by the one-year ban because it is not their fault that there was a leadership row in the Senate that prevented their confirmation from being taken up earlier),” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Ipinagtanggol ang mga Opisyal ng AFP na Naapektuhan ng Alitan sa Pamunuan ng Senado

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Lacson Rejects Claims of ‘Martial Law’ in Senate Security Inspection

What “Martial Law?”

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson thus rejected on Tuesday the objections and claims of “undeclared martial law” by some minority senators to the security survey and inspection (SSI) of the Senate premises by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection, assisted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Lacson stressed that the inspection stemmed from intelligence reports indicating a security threat to the Senate, adding that no one was exempted, not even the offices of the majority bloc members.

“Martial law? All the offices of individual senators, even including that of Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, as well as those occupied by the secretariat and all other offices, were subjected to safety and security inspections to make sure that we and the Senate employees as well as the media people covering the Senate will be safe and secure from a repeat of the May 13 shooting incident and mayhem that transpired under the watch of disgraced ex-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano,” he said.

“Except for those of us who may be apprehensive that they may have kept or stored contraband items like firearms, explosives and drugs in their offices, those with clean consciences should all welcome instead of criticize the SSI that was conducted by the PNP and the Bureau of Fire Protection, assisted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Itinanggi ang Bintang na ‘Martial Law’ sa Security Inspection sa Senado

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