Tag: Anti-corruption

Statements

Fight is Against Pork and Corruption, Nothing More

My fight is against ‘pork’ and corruption, and nothing more. It is never about the House or its members, even if some of them take turns in insisting otherwise.

For one, the chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Sid Ungab, is one of their many decent members whom Rep. Villafuerte tried to undermine by attempting to withdraw the budget measure from his committee, but held his ground and rejected his malevolent move.

As for Rep. Villafuerte and his claim of a ‘ceasefire,’ for once he should stop prevaricating. How could I not honor something that I did not have knowledge about? He should not put words into my mouth then comment on it himself.

*****

In the News, Radio, Statements

Interview on DWIZ: Patay Kung Patay vs Pork! | Sept. 28, 2019

In an interview on DWIZ, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– ‘Patay kung patay!’ Dealing with ‘organized’ moves by pork proponents
– pork proponents’ violation and twisting of the 1987 Constitution
– death threats vs Mayor Benjie Magalong

QUOTES and NOTES:
 Continue reading “Interview on DWIZ: Patay Kung Patay vs Pork! | Sept. 28, 2019” →

Documents

FICTIONAL?? Read Rep. Castro’s Lobby Letter to Sen. Lacson

In a letter dated Sept. 19, 2019, Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro lobbied with Sen. Lacson for financial assistance to construct a municipal building for Dumalag town, costing P258 million. The stamp indicating the time and date it was received at Sen. Lacson’s office belies Castro’s claim that the lobbying was ‘fictional.’

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Statements

On the Whining and Howling over ‘Pork’

castro2020

I was alone in this fight against pork for a long time. Now that many like-minded colleagues in the Senate are equally committed to do the same, with more reason I should be more vigilant.

The whining and howling of Congressman Castro and his like-minded colleagues will not distract me from performing my mandate of scrutinizing the budget measure.

As for those House members who abused the hard-earned money of taxpayers for the longest time that they availed of ‘pork,’ they are the ones who should apologize to the Filipino people.

*****

In the News, Statements, Videos

#PingSays: On ‘Aborted’ Pork in the 2020 Budget; ‘Ninja Cops’ | Sept. 25, 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” →

Hearings/Investigations, Photos

FINE-TOOTHED COMB: Sen. Lacson Poses Questions at the 2020 Budget Hearing for the DPWH

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At the hearing on the 2020 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Sen. Lacson raised several questions involving the agency’s use of funds for infrastructure projects. “Sabi kasi ni Senate President, we will go through the budget with a fine-toothed comb. So we are going through all this.”

Sen. Lacson questioned the lodging of two-thirds of the DPWH’s budget in the central office ; unrecouped advance payments to erring contractors ; and the delay and/or non-implementation of projects due to poor planning . He inquired as well if the issue involving road-right-of-way (RROW) has become a hopeless case .

But he also made clear these are not the only questionable cases, adding this is not to find fault. “We are going through all this. This is not to find fault but for (our) future reference.”

QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “FINE-TOOTHED COMB: Sen. Lacson Poses Questions at the 2020 Budget Hearing for the DPWH” →

In the News, Statements, Videos

#PingSays: On Hazing at PMA; Possible Pork in 2020 Budget | Sept. 23, 2019

In an interview, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– hazing at PMA
– possible pork in the 2020 budget
– corruption at BuCor

QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PingSays: On Hazing at PMA; Possible Pork in 2020 Budget | Sept. 23, 2019” →

In the News, Radio, Statements, TV

Interview on DZBB/GNTV: Technology and Other Solutions vs BuCor Woes; National ID vs Graft | Sept. 15, 2019

In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– technology-based solutions to stop corruption at BuCor
– proposed legislation to address BuCor woes
– accusations that the probe is targeting Sen de Lima

QUOTES and NOTES:
 Continue reading “Interview on DZBB/GNTV: Technology and Other Solutions vs BuCor Woes; National ID vs Graft | Sept. 15, 2019” →

In the News, Radio, Statements, TV

Interviews on GMA, DZRH, DZMM: ‘Bottomless Pit’ of Corruption at BuCor | Sept. 13, 2019

In an interview on GMA’s ‘Unang Hirit,’ DZRH, and DZMM, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– ‘bottomless pit’ of corruption at BuCor
– ‘friendship’ with the President

QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “Interviews on GMA, DZRH, DZMM: ‘Bottomless Pit’ of Corruption at BuCor | Sept. 13, 2019” →

Hearings/Investigations, Photos, Videos

‘TALAMAK ANG KORAPSYON!’ 7 Major Moneymaking Schemes at Bilibid Bared

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At the fifth Senate hearing on the irregularities at the Bureau of Corrections, Sen. Lacson bared at least seven moneymaking schemes inside the New Bilibid Prison, both petty and large-scale. “Maraming issues. Pagpasok ng contraband. May ‘special request.’ Pagpasok ng ’tilapia.’ Pagpasok ng extended period ng visitation, may bayad.”

While BuCor legal division chief Anthony Frederic Santos confirmed there was corruption in the NBP, with the payoffs depending on the inmate’s ‘level,’ Lacson pointed out the committee also invited former BuCor OIC Rafael Ragos and NBI intelligence agent Jovencio Ablen Jr to give the Senate panel a clearer picture of corruption at BuCor. “The moneymaking scheme has been there since time immemorial,” Sen. Lacson said. “(This Senate investigation is) with the end in view to resolve these issues and come up with legislation to (stop) these malpractices,” he added.

Lacson also asked BuCor OIC Melvin Ramon Buenafe if the situation in BuCor is still reversible, since some inmates have “good command and control over their fellow inmates, even BuCor employees.” He said “surgical action” is needed especially to stop practices like letting inmates out overnight to commit crimes, and get back in.

Related:
At the Hearing on the Release of Heinous Crime Convicts via GCTA (Sept. 2)
#PingSays: Sec. Panelo’s ‘Referral’ for ex-Mayor Sanchez; Sanchez Release and GCTA Issue (Sept. 3)
‘Bakit Kailangan Madaliin?’ BuCor Execs Grilled over Hurry to Release ‘Special’ Convicts (Sept. 5)
Facebooking from Maximum Security: Mobile Phones, Drugs and Firearms in Bilibid (Sept. 9)
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “‘TALAMAK ANG KORAPSYON!’ 7 Major Moneymaking Schemes at Bilibid Bared” →