In an interview on DZBB/GMA News TV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* effect of reenacted budget on COVID-19 response in 2021
* connection between DPWH lump sums and delay of budget bill in the House of Representatives
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Walang Pondo para sa COVID-19 Vaccine/Response sa 2021 kung Reenacted ang Budget”
It is the President’s option to do whatever is necessary, even taking a “direct” hand in resolving the Speakership issue, with the timely passage of the 2021 national budget as his only consideration. After all, anything that has to do with national interest should involve the President.
This is one credit I would give to the President. As the leader of the coalition of political parties in the House of Representatives, I don’t think there is impropriety if he steps in to resolve the impasse between conflicting groups that are both his allies anyway. A few calls to the leaders of those coalitions can simplify matters.
Having said that, how can the Senate accept a printed copy of an unapproved House version of the budget bill, as proposed by Speaker Cayetano? We can only file a committee report once the General Appropriations Bill is transmitted to us after it has been approved on third and final reading. Why do they have to wait for Nov. 16 to approve the budget on third and final reading? I can’t understand any of this.
Our priority in the Senate remains the same – to pass on time a national budget that will allow us to deal with the effects of the pandemic. This includes scrutinizing the budget bill to make sure huge sums are not lost to incompetence or greed.
*****
Between Oct. 12 and 14 when the Senate is originally scheduled to receive the transmittal of the General Appropriations Bill from the House of Representatives, and Nov. 17 when the Speaker said they will be able to transmit the same to us, is definitely not a one-day difference as claimed by Speaker Cayetano.
With that said, I have just suggested to the Speaker if it’s possible for him to resume their session, which is merely suspended and not adjourned, before All Saints’ Day just to approve on third and final reading the House version of the budget measure and thereafter transmit the same to us.
I also told him the senators, especially the finance committee vice chairpersons, need at least one week to study the House version and submit to the mother committee our reports. Another week will be needed for the finance committee to consolidate everything and file its committee report. In so doing, we can start floor debates immediately after we resume session on Nov. 16, or even before that.
That is the only way we can ensure the timely passage of the budget measure. We cannot afford an impasse involving the most important piece of legislation that Congress has to pass: the national budget, which I have consistently regarded as the lifeblood of our economy, if not our country.
*****
In an interview with Senate media, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* likely delay in passage of 2021 budget
* Sec. Duque’s new post at the World Health Organization
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Likely Delay in Passage of 2021 Budget; Sec. Duque’s WHO Post”
In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* options on further actions regarding anomalies at PhilHealth
* possible use of questionable sums in DPWH budget to address budget shortage for health care in 2021
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Sec. Duque, ‘Di Pa Lusot sa PhilHealth Mess; DPWH Lump Sums, Pondohan ang Universal Health Care?”
No matter who leads the House, the Senate – or at least like-minded senators who choose to be the vanguards against the legislative abuse of the power of the purse – will not be affected.
We will continue to exercise what is expected of us in exercising our mandate and our obligation to the Filipino people in this regard.
*****
In an interview with Senate media, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* PhilHealth committee report
* questionable items in the 2021 budget
* ‘Designated Survivor’ legislation
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: PhilHealth Committee Report, 2021 Budget, ‘Designated Survivor’ Legislation”
In an interview on DZBB/GMA News TV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* possible supplemental budget to deal with COVID-19 [0:26]
* at least P989B unused from 2019 budget [2:40]
* local officials naipit sa Social Amelioration Program [17:39]
* DBM circular barring release of 35% of 2020 budget’s appropriations [19:45]
* lockdown until June? [24:17]
NOTES and QUOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: ECQ Extension, Supplemental Budget vs COVID-19 Needed?”
At the Kapihan sa Senado forum, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– Passage of the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020
– Senate’s planned petition before the Supreme Court regarding VFA abrogation
– Congress’ possible actions regarding ABS-CBN’s franchise
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “Kapihan sa Senado forum | Feb. 27, 2020”
Speaker Cayetano may have a point since the Constitution provides that bills of local application like franchise measures must originate from the House of Representatives.
He is wrong in equating it to the Charter change issue, though, since as practiced and for expediency, we conduct committee hearings on tax and budget measures even before the House transmits its approved version of the bill to the Senate.
What can be considered blatantly violative of the Constitution is if the Senate committee chairperson reports out on the floor for plenary debates the committee report. This is something we have not done and will never do.
Having said that, what I understand to be tackled by the Public Services Committee are not the bills in connection with the ABS-CBN franchise but a filed resolution to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the alleged violations of ABS-CBN that is being questioned by the Office of the Solicitor General before the Supreme Court via a quo warranto petition in which I have earlier expressed reservation out of courtesy to a co-equal branch that has already given due course to the said petition.
*****
In an interview on DWIZ, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– lifting of travel ban on Taiwan
– issues involving P/Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido
– possible actions after VFA abrogation
– franchise of ABS-CBN
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Lifting of Taiwan Travel Ban, Lt Col Espenido Issue, VFA Abrogation”
To The Philippine Star: Please allow us to set the record straight regarding Ms. Reyes’ column on Dec. 22, 2019, where she stated it is “unfortunate” that Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson “wants an investigation” into issues involving the organizers of the recently concluded Southeast Asian Games – and insinuated that the investigation may be for “grandstanding.”
Continue reading “Letter to the Editor: Reply to Mary Ann Reyes’ column [Philippine Star]”
In a phone patch interview on DZBB and GMA News TV, Sen. Lacson detailed how pork items that violate the Supreme Court’s 2013 ruling outlawing pork are ‘hidden’ in the 2020 budget.
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Galawang Ninja? Ping Details How Pork is ‘Hidden’ in 2020 Budget”
In interviews on DZBB and with Senate media, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– Pork in the 2020 budget
– Possible Senate probe of issues involving SEA Games organizing committee
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterviews: Dapat Magalit Tayong Lahat sa Pork! | Dec. 11, 2019”
Representatives of the Senate and House met to discuss the passage of the P4.1-trillion 2020 budget. At the meeting, Sen. Lacson manifested for transparency, where the Senate and House will submit to each other the new amendments not yet included in their respective versions.
Sen. Lacson also said he expects the smooth and early passage of the 2020 budget bill, provided there is no move to introduce post-ratification amendments like in the 2019 budget. He also answered questions on issues regarding the SEA Games hosting, and the selection of a new PNP chief.
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “‘Dapat Transparent!’ Bicameral Conference Meeting on 2020 Budget”
In an interview on ANC, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– House leaders’ claims that Senate to blame for early hosting woes for SEA Games
– pork in the 2020 budget
– reported proposal to vote for President and VP in tandem
– advice to VP Robredo after her removal as ICAD co-chair
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “Interview on ANC: SEA Games Early Hosting Woes; Voting in Tandem; ‘Pork’ in 2020 Budget | Nov. 27, 2019”
In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– thwarting possible attempts to insert pork in the P4.1-trillion proposed 2020 budget via bicam
– ‘most behaved’ House with P9.5B institutional amendments in the budget bill
– release of funds to address recent calamities
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB/GNTV: Walang ‘Pork’ sa 2020 Budget sa Unang Tingin? | Nov. 3, 2019”
In an interview, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– ‘aborted’ pork insertion in the 2020 national budget
– Senate panel decision on ‘ninja cops’
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PingSays: On ‘Aborted’ Pork in the 2020 Budget; ‘Ninja Cops’ | Sept. 25, 2019”
In an interview on DWIZ, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– corruption and other irregularities at the Bureau of Corrections
– transfer of high-profile convicts to Marines facility from New Bilibid Prison
– possible attempts to insert pork in the 2020 budget
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “Interview on DWIZ: Corruption at BuCor; Hunting Pork in 2020 Budget | Sept. 7, 2019”
In an interview, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– possible effects of a ‘shared’ House Speakership
– possible ‘pork’ in the budget, amending the 1987 Constitution
– Senate’s continued independence even with ‘the President’s men’
– passage of death penalty bill
– Sen dela Rosa’s ‘S*** happens’ statement
Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “#PingSays: ‘Shared’ House Speakership; Death Penalty Bill; Sen. Bato | July 9, 2019”
Mr. Chairman, this morning, this Representation, being the Chairman of your Committee on Foreign Affairs, presided over probably the shortest public hearing to recommend to this honorable commission to give its consent to the nomination of Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano as the Secretary of Department of Foreign Affairs.
In the spirit of consistency, I will now deliver the shortest sponsorship speech. Thus, Mr. Chairman, distinguished colleagues, it is my distinct honor and privilege to move that the Commission give its consent to the nomination of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as Secretary of Department of Foreign Affairs.
I so move, Mr. Chairman.
*****
