Tag: bicameral conference

Lacson: DPWH’s Dubious Appropriations a Key Starting Point for Palace Review of 2021 Budget

Dubious items in the Department of Public Works and Highways’ budget for 2021 – including double and overlapping appropriations – could be a key starting point for Malacañang in reviewing the P4.5-trillion 2021 budget bill, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said.

Lacson, who bared and questioned such irregularities in the DPWH’s budget in committee hearings all the way to the plenary, said he is willing to help in the review by pointing out items for potential veto.

“It is clear that questionable items such as double and overlapping appropriations should be vetoed, along with at least 793 line items for multi-purpose buildings with a uniform P1-million appropriation each,” he said in an interview on DZRH radio Thursday evening.

Continue reading “Lacson: DPWH’s Dubious Appropriations a Key Starting Point for Palace Review of 2021 Budget”

On the ‘Juggling’ of Funds in the DPWH’s 2021 Budget in the Bicameral Conference

The net increase of P28.3 billion on top of juggled funds within the Department of Public Works and Highways’ 2021 budget could only indicate massive realignments and insertions introduced by the legislators. It begs the question: is this an election campaign budget?

Even the multi-purpose buildings that I had repeatedly questioned in the committee hearings all the way to plenary gained more funds instead of being reduced, in spite of the obvious waste of funds due to the failure of the DPWH to implement them.

For the record, I am not questioning the collegial nature of our plenary deliberations. But I cannot give my vote to a measure as important as the national budget without having read the details of the said bicameral conference report.

All that being said, what happened is now water under the bridge. But it is high time we learn our lessons from this.

*****

On the ‘Committee of Two’ and Transparency Issues in the 2021 Budget Bill

I don’t agree on anything that is not transparent, especially if it concerns the national budget. While the bicameral conference committee may have been reduced to a “Committee of Two,” it is not exactly the case.

In fact, I already instructed my staff to coordinate closely with the Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office (LBRMO) on whatever movements of funds before the final version of the bill is presented to the bicam members for our signatures and approval.

Also, I practically demanded that I be furnished with a copy of the details of the Senate version before the convening of the bicameral conference, as what we had until yesterday morning was only the summary of the Senate version.

Having said all that, we already found some realignments that may seem questionable, based on our preliminary examination. For instance, while some of my recommended slash from the Department of Public Works and Highways’ budget was adopted, we also noticed at least P10 billion worth of infrastructure projects realigned within the same agency under the Senate version.

While we can identify the locations of the Senate-realigned projects, we may not be able to identify the senator-proponents. This is the reason why I have always called for transparency in all our individual amendments by posting the same on our official websites for the media and the public to see.

As I already stated, these are very preliminary even as we continue our scrutiny of the budget measure. Thus the importance of transparency cannot be emphasized enough.

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GMRC Measure Tackled at the Bicameral Conference Committee Level

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A measure on teaching GMRC to young learners during their formative years was tackled at the bicameral conference committee level on Feb. 26, 2020. Sen. Lacson (second from right, standing) is part of the Senate contingent. He authored SB 1185, which is part of the GMRC measure.

Other lawmakers at the meeting included Senators Win Gatchalian (Senate panel chair), Migz Zubiri, Risa Hontiveros and Joel Villanueva; and Reps. Roman Romulo (House panel chair), Stella Luz Quimbo, Resurreccion Acop, Evelina Escudero, and Jocelyn Fortuno.

‘Dapat Transparent!’ Bicameral Conference Meeting on 2020 Budget

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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”

Kapihan sa Senado forum | Nov. 21, 2019

At the Kapihan sa Senado forum, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– Hide and Seek: Pork spotted in the 2020 budget
– Situation of VP Robredo in the anti-drug war
– President Duterte’s ‘ban’ on vaping

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QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “Kapihan sa Senado forum | Nov. 21, 2019”

Interview on DZBB/GNTV: Dapat Isapubliko! Push for Transparency in the 2020 Budget | Nov. 5, 2019

In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– need for transparency in crafting the 2020 budget
– curbing pork amid growing national debt
– making enemies while fighting pork in the budget

QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB/GNTV: Dapat Isapubliko! Push for Transparency in the 2020 Budget | Nov. 5, 2019”

Interview on DWIZ | March 2, 2019

In an interview on DWIZ, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– possible delay in the signing of the 2019 budget due to House’s post-ratification pork
– need to revisit RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty amid US State Secretary Pompeo’s assurance

Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “Interview on DWIZ | March 2, 2019”

On the Delay in the Passage of the 2019 Budget

If you notice, the budget bill has not been transmitted to Malacañang in spite of the bicam report being ratified by both houses of Congress more than two weeks ago.

I have it on good information that the House leadership is still waiting for several congressmen to finalize the submission of their individual projects. This is not to mention that insertions and realignments were made even after the bicameral report ratification.

While technically speaking, it may not constitute post-legislation enactment since the President has not yet signed the budget measure, we can see clear abuse of discretion especially if done without the concurrence of the Senate; it is also an utter disregard of the Supreme Court’s 2013 landmark ruling.

This latest caper that the House leadership is trying to pull off may also constitute violation of the 1987 Constitution. I’ve talked to some congressmen who expressed anxiety that the pork barrel allocations of at least 60 congressmen were slashed post-bicam ratification.

Whatever it is, these are things that they do for greed. It’s a shame and revolting, to say the least.

*****

Interview on DWIZ | Feb. 9, 2019

In an interview on DWIZ, Sen. Lacson answered questions on pork in the 2019 budget.

Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “Interview on DWIZ | Feb. 9, 2019”

Interview on DZBB | Feb. 3, 2019

In an interview on DZBB, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– more ‘talking heads’ after Reps. Bravo and Castro
– institutional vs individual amendments
– call to the public on the pork barrel issue

Quotes from the interview…  Continue reading “Interview on DZBB | Feb. 3, 2019”

Patas Dapat! Ping, Isinapubliko ang Institutional Amendments sa 2019 Budget

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Dapat walang itinatago sa publiko at klaro ang mga detalye ng paglalaanan ng pambansang gastusin ng pamahalaan.

Ito ang matapang na panuntunan ni Senador Panfilo Lacson sa pagsapubliko ng kanyang institutional amendments sa 2019 national budget, na kasalukuyang tinatalakay ng bicameral conference committee.

“In the spirit of transparency, I instructed my staff to make public all my amendments in the 2019 national budget,” paglalahad ni Lacson sa kanyang Twitter account.

“I hope all proponents will do the same to remove all suspicions that the bicameral conference is a venue for sneaky horse trading among legislators,” dagdag ng mambabatas.

Related:
In the Spirit of Transparency: Lacson Details Institutional Amendments to 2019 Budget
List: Institutional Amendments Proposed by Sen. Lacson in the 2019 Budget
Continue reading “Patas Dapat! Ping, Isinapubliko ang Institutional Amendments sa 2019 Budget”

In the Spirit of Transparency: Lacson Details Institutional Amendments to 2019 Budget

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Citing the need for transparency, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson has made public the details of the institutional amendments he proposed in the P3.7-trillion national budget for 2019.

Lacson expressed hope other proponents of amendments to the budget will do the same, to remove speculations that the bicameral conference committee is a venue for “horse trading” and compromises among legislators.

“In the spirit of transparency, I instructed my staff to make public all my amendments in the 2019 national budget. I hope all proponents will do the same to remove all suspicions that the bicameral conference is a venue for sneaky horse trading among legislators,” he said in a post on his Twitter account.

Related:
Patas Dapat! Ping, Isinapubliko ang Institutional Amendments sa 2019 Budget
List: Institutional Amendments Proposed by Sen. Lacson in the 2019 Budget
Continue reading “In the Spirit of Transparency: Lacson Details Institutional Amendments to 2019 Budget”

Interview on DZRH | Jan. 29, 2019

In an interview on DZRH, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– institutional vs individual amendments in the 2019 budget
– ‘pork’ in the P3.7-trillion proposed 2019 budget

Quotes from the interview…  Continue reading “Interview on DZRH | Jan. 29, 2019”

#PingSays: On the 2019 budget and Sulu church bombing | Jan. 28, 2019

In an interview, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– bicameral conference committee discussions on the 2019 budget
– Sulu church bombing

Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “#PingSays: On the 2019 budget and Sulu church bombing | Jan. 28, 2019”

Lacson Pushes P4.78-B Institutional Amendment for Mindanao Infantry Unit

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Sen. Lacson stresses a point during bicameral conference committee discussions on the 2019 national budget, on Jan. 28, 2019.

Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson is pushing for a P4.78-billion institutional amendment in the P3.7-trillion national budget for 2019 for an infantry division that will counter threats from armed groups like the Abu Sayyaf.

Lacson, who disclosed this at the bicameral conference committee meeting on the 2019 budget on Monday, said the funding to mobilize the 11th Infantry Division was requested by the Department of National Defense (DND).

“It is an institutional amendment that I introduced, for the activation of an infantry division as requested by the DND,” he said.

Related: Kontra-Terorismo: AFP Binuhusan ni Ping ng P4.7 Bilyon
Continue reading “Lacson Pushes P4.78-B Institutional Amendment for Mindanao Infantry Unit”

Interview on DZMM | Jan. 23, 2019

In an interview on DZMM, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– passage of the 2019 national budget
– amendments to the Juvenile Justice Act

Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “Interview on DZMM | Jan. 23, 2019”

Interview on ANC | Jan. 21, 2019

In an interview on ANC, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– passage of the 2019 national budget
– allegations of graft vs DBM Sec Diokno and calls for him to resign
– compensation for landowners affected by DPWH right-of-way projects
– Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite

Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “Interview on ANC | Jan. 21, 2019”

Interview on DWIZ | Jan. 19, 2019

In an interview on DWIZ, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– need for transparency in the bicameral conference committee on the 2019 budget
– DBM Sec. Diokno’s claim that deleting P75B from DPWH budget may harm economy
– US NGO’s claim that PH is a ‘war zone in disguise’
– Sri Lankan president’s reported intent to ‘copy” PH war vs drugs
– ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and efforts to reach out to Nur Misuari
– Sen. Pacquiao’s bout vs Adrien Broner

Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “Interview on DWIZ | Jan. 19, 2019”

Senate Adopts, Ratifies Bicam Report on the Proposed Measure for Rank Classification in the PNP

The Senate adopted and ratified a proposed measure providing for rank classification in the PNP, after Sen. Lacson delivered a sponsorship speech for the bicameral conference committee report.

Related:
Measure on PNP Rank Classification Tackled at the Bicameral Conference Committee Level
Sponsorship Speech for the Committee Report on Senate Bill 2031
Continue reading “Senate Adopts, Ratifies Bicam Report on the Proposed Measure for Rank Classification in the PNP”

Measure on PNP Rank Classification Tackled at the Bicameral Conference Committee Level

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A measure providing for rank classification in the PNP was discussed at the bicameral conference committee on Nov. 19. Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson, who sponsored the Senate version of the measure, led the Senate contingent while Rep. Romeo Acop led the House contingent.

Related:
Senate Bill 1869, An Act Providing for Rank Classification in the PNP
Sponsorship Speech for the measure providing for rank classification in the PNP

#PingSays: On the National ID bill becoming law before end-June | May 23, 2018

In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions on the proposed measure seeking to establish a National ID system.

Quotes from the interview…  Continue reading “#PingSays: On the National ID bill becoming law before end-June | May 23, 2018”

#PingSays: Speedy passage into law seen for the proposed Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 | Feb. 28, 2018

In an interview, Sen. Lacson sees a speedy passage for the proposed Anti-Hazing Act of 2018, after it passed the bicameral conference committee.

Related:
Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 passes bicameral conference committee
Lacson committee: Reclusion perpetua, P3M danyos sa mga sangkot sa hazing
Lacson committee pushes reclusion perpetua, hefty penalties vs hazing deaths

Quotes from the interview…  Continue reading “#PingSays: Speedy passage into law seen for the proposed Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 | Feb. 28, 2018”

The Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 Passes the Bicameral Conference Committee

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A measure providing harsher penalties against hazing and attempts at cover-up passed the bicameral conference committee level on Feb. 28, 2018.
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs that produced the Senate version of the measure, led the Senate contingent. Leading the House contingent was Justice Committee chairman Rep. Reynaldo Umali.

Related:
Lacson committee: Reclusion perpetua, P3M danyos sa mga sangkot sa hazing
Lacson committee pushes reclusion perpetua, hefty penalties vs hazing deaths
At a Glance: Findings and Recommendations on the fatal hazing of Horacio Castillo III