Tag: Anti-corruption

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” →

Statements

On the President’s ‘Penchant’ and ‘Ignorance’ Claims

“Duterte OK with cops accepting ‘gifts’ out of gratitude, earning extra cash from video-karera” – Is this not graft Mr President? Pray tell, who is ignorant?

tweet0911-gifts

The Senate media and I know that the President was exaggerating when he said that I have the penchant to comment on every issue.

Aside from from my Twitter posts, I only comment on issues when asked, and not even all the time. I play ‘dedma’ when I am not familiar with the issue. I may not be a lawyer but I know how to read and understand the law that I read, or ask my lawyer-staff when I don’t.

Having said that, the President says he is fighting corruption. I also say I am on a crusade in exposing corruption in government. If we are not complementing each other in this regard, there must be a problem somewhere.

As for his other claim, I am not even sure if I want to run for President, so I do not know what he is talking about.

*****

In the News, Statements, Videos

#PingSays: Up to P2 million ‘Admission Fee’ for Bilibid Hospital? | Sept. 10, 2019

In an interview, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– up to P2M ‘admission fee’ and P30K daily ‘board and lodging’ at Bilibid Hospital?
– ‘inconsistencies’ in statements of some BuCor officials
– preventive suspension of BuCor officials by the Ombudsman

QUOTES and NOTES:
 Continue reading “#PingSays: Up to P2 million ‘Admission Fee’ for Bilibid Hospital? | Sept. 10, 2019” →

Hearings/Investigations, Photos, Videos

Facebooking from Maximum Security: Mobile Phones, Drugs and Firearms in Bilibid

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[Video Courtesy: Senate PRIB]

At the Senate hearing on the release of heinous crime convicts via GCTA, Sen. Lacson bared how prohibited items from mobile phones to illegal drugs to firearms are being used inside the maximum security area in the New Bilibid Prison. “Is this the kind of strictness in the policy of containing the entry or preventing the entry of contraband, especially mobile phones? There are other prisoners who openly post on Facebook. Ang iba high-profile cases.”

Lacson also questioned the inconsistencies in the statements of at least one BuCor official during the hearing.

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)
‘TALAMAK ANG KORAPSYON!’ 7 Major Moneymaking Schemes at Bilibid Bared (Sept. 12)
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “Facebooking from Maximum Security: Mobile Phones, Drugs and Firearms in Bilibid” →

In the News, Radio, Statements

Interview on DWIZ: Corruption at BuCor; Hunting Pork in 2020 Budget | Sept. 7, 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” →

Hearings/Investigations, Photos, Videos

‘Hindi Maganda Tingnan’: More Signs of Conflict of Interest, Irregularities at the Senate Hearing on DOH, PhilHealth Row

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[Video Courtesy: Senate PRIB]

At the hearing on irregularities at the DOH and PhilHealth, Sen. Lacson presented contracts entered into by a firm owned by the family of DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III with the NCMH , as well as a contract between PhilHealth’s Region 1 office and another Duque family-owned firm , during the secretary’s incumbency.

Lacson also cited information on other irregularities such as overcharging by PhilHealth, as well as the rediscounting of claims, which is rampant in Eastern Visayas.

Yet, Lacson noted PhilHealth is one of the top GOCCs in terms of subsidies from the government. “Pinakamalaking subsidized ng gobyerno and PhilHealth. And here we are, hearing so many anomalies, monies going to the pockets of a few. Hindi ba nakakagalit yan?”

Related: ‘Namatay Na, Naningil Pa!’ Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Hearing on DOH, PhilHealth Corruption
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “‘Hindi Maganda Tingnan’: More Signs of Conflict of Interest, Irregularities at the Senate Hearing on DOH, PhilHealth Row” →

Hearings/Investigations, Photos, Videos

‘Bakit Kailangan Madaliin?’ BuCor Execs Grilled over Hurry to Release ‘Special’ Convicts

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At the Senate hearing on the release of heinous crime convicts via GCTA, Sen. Lacson stressed the need for closer coordination between the Board of Pardons and Parole and the Bureau of Corrections . He also welcomed the disclosure of DOJ Sec. Menardo Guevarra that an initial batch of heinous crime convicts who were released via GCTA had surrendered, after President Duterte gave them 15 days to turn themselves in.

Lacson also questioned the rush that prompted BuCor official Maria Fe Marquez to sign release papers for three convicts in the Chiong sisters’ 1997 rape-slay, for now-fired BuCor chief Nicanor Faeldon; as well as the blatant disregard of the procedure requiring the prior approval of the DOJ Secretary for convicts’ release.

At the resumption of the hearing, a resource person surfaced to give details of a supposed GCTA-for-sale racket supposedly involving BuCor personnel.

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)
Facebooking from Maximum Security: Mobile Phones, Drugs and Firearms in Bilibid (Sept. 9)
‘TALAMAK ANG KORAPSYON!’ 7 Major Moneymaking Schemes at Bilibid Bared (Sept. 12)
QUOTES and NOTES:
 Continue reading “‘Bakit Kailangan Madaliin?’ BuCor Execs Grilled over Hurry to Release ‘Special’ Convicts” →

In the News, Radio, Statements

Interview on DZMM: ‘GCTA for Sale’; Faeldon Firing | Sept. 5, 2019

In an interview on DZMM, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– Firing of BuCor chief Faeldon
– ‘GCTA for sale’

QUOTES and NOTES:
 Continue reading “Interview on DZMM: ‘GCTA for Sale’; Faeldon Firing | Sept. 5, 2019” →

Statements

On the President’s Firing of Faeldon and Ultimatum to Convicts Released via GCTA

Firing Faeldon and giving 15 days for the 1,900 released convicts to surrender are reasons enough for me to continue supporting President Duterte’s advocacies and programs against criminality.

We are like-minded in our position to give preference to the rights of victims and society at large over the rights of criminal offenders.

*****

In the News, Statements, Videos

#PingSays: Sec. Panelo’s ‘Referral’ for ex-Mayor Sanchez; Sanchez Release and GCTA Issue | Sept. 3, 2019

In an interview, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– Sec. Panelo’s ‘referral’ for ex-Mayor Sanchez
– Senate Bill 993, repealing RA 10592
– BuCor head Faeldon’s inconsistencies on Sanchez release

Related:
At the Hearing on the Release of Heinous Crime Convicts via GCTA (Sept. 2)
‘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)
‘TALAMAK ANG KORAPSYON!’ 7 Major Moneymaking Schemes at Bilibid Bared (Sept. 12)
QUOTES and NOTES: 
Continue reading “#PingSays: Sec. Panelo’s ‘Referral’ for ex-Mayor Sanchez; Sanchez Release and GCTA Issue | Sept. 3, 2019” →