Tag: Bombo Radyo

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Lacson: Senate Flood Control Probe to Continue Even with Independent Commission; Blindfold Mentality to be Guide

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson will maintain a “blindfold mentality” in presiding over the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s probe into the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects – even as he maintained there is no need to stop the Senate probe now that Malacanang has created an independent probe commission since they should complement each other.

Lacson stressed Friday that this mentality, which has always guided his investigations, means the committee will base its findings on evidence, and will spare no one – not even legislators or employees. The panel’s next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 18.

He added that the P355-million insertion in the 2025 budget, one of the subjects of the investigation, has brought to light the need to identify the proponents of amendments or insertions in crafting the budget. This transparency is one of the budget reforms Lacson has repeatedly fought for.

In Filipino: Lacson: Tuloy ang Senate Flood Control Probe Kahit na May Independent Commission; Blindfold Mentality ang Magiging Gabay

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Lacson Accepts Electoral Reforms Committee Chairmanship, to Pursue Passage of Anti-Political Dynasty Bill

The passage of the Anti-Political Dynasty Act will be the priority of Sen. Panfilio “Ping” M. Lacson after he accepted on Wednesday the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation.

Lacson said the committee chairmanship was offered by Senate President Francis Escudero through Senate minority leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

“I will schedule as soon as possible my Anti-Political Dynasty bill and another bill also referred to that committee,” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson, Mamumuno sa Electoral Reforms Committee, Isusulong ang Anti-Political Dynasty Bill

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Lacson Pushes Open Bicam, Longer ‘Review’ Period for Budget Bill

Opening the bicameral conference committee proceedings on the national budget to the public may not fully prevent the insertion of “pork barrel” funds, but it would certainly help pinpoint the lawmakers who attempt to do so, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson said the “Open Bicam” that he and fellow lawmakers in the Senate and House of Representatives are pushing will be a big step towards transparency in the budget process.

Also, he pushed for longer periods for the Senate to review the House’s amendments to the National Expenditure Program, and for Congress to review and revise the budget bill if the President vetoes it.

“It is still possible that some insertions could be made, but at least we can identify those who did so for their projects. We can track the differences between the General Appropriations Bill and the National Expenditure Program, with the public observing and with minutes and transcripts of the proceedings,” he said in Filipino in an interview on Bombo Radyo Philippines.

“For their part, lawmakers will think twice before making insertions or realignments because they can be identified,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Itinulak ang Open Bicam, Sapat na ‘Review’ Period para sa Budget Bill

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Lacson Pushes Certainty of Punishment on Contractors, Gov’t Accomplices in Failed and Ghost Flood Control Projects

After the auditing of flood control programs to see which of them are failed or ghost projects, there must be the certainty of punishment on the erring contractors involved, as well as their accomplices in government.

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed this on Wednesday as he said the culprits will likely lie low for now – and go back to business if no one is actually punished.

“The most effective mechanism is the certainty of punishment. Someone must be held accountable. Because if not, the flood control mess will continue, with the culprits lying low and then going back to business. So that is the most effective mechanism – to see the culprits actually getting punished,” he said in Filipino in an interview on Bombo Radyo Philippines.

In Filipino: Lacson: Kailangan ang Katiyakan na Paparusahan ang Contractor at Kasabwat sa Gobyerno sa mga Palpak at Guni-Guning Flood Control Projects

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Integrating Ayudas Under 4Ps Tops Ping Lacson’s Legislative Agenda

Integrating all forms of “ayuda” under the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) program will top the legislative agenda of incoming Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson in the 20th Congress.

Lacson said Monday that this is part of his push for good governance, along with an intensified scrutiny of the national budget bill, upon his return to the Senate.

“This early, I have instructed my prospective legislative staff to draft an amendment to Republic Act 11310, the law on the 4Ps program, to expand it and address the sectors covered by the other forms of ayuda that have become confusing and have become a political tool used by some politicians for their campaigns, both during and outside of the campaign period,” Lacson said in Filipino, in an interview on Bombo Radyo Philippines.

“Expanding the 4Ps will be better because the 4Ps has a data-driven list of beneficiaries; unlike other ayuda programs that are indiscriminate and are prone to duplication like TUPAD, AKAP, AICS and MAIP,” he added.

In Filipino: Integrated Ayuda sa Ilalim ng 4Ps, Isusulong ni Ping Lacson

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