Tag: Bongbong Marcos

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Lacson Calls Out Marcoleta’s ‘Fake’ Premises on Blue Ribbon Probe, Ethics ‘Complaint’

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Sunday called out the “fake” premises cited by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta regarding the Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into the flood control scandal, and an ethics complaint he has threatened to file against him.

Lacson said Marcoleta’s call to summon former Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin to the Blue Ribbon probe over alleged text messages with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was baseless, noting Bersamin was not mentioned in the committee’s records.

As for Marcoleta’s prospective ethics complaint over a supposed spliced video, Lacson said it was similarly unfounded.

“He’s been basing his statements and accusations on wrong premises. They’re all fake,” he said in English and Filipino, in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson, Tinuligsa ang Mga Pekeng Banat ni Marcoleta sa Blue Ribbon Probe at Bantang Ethics Complaint

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Lacson: No Political Plans Beyond 2031

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City – Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson put to rest speculation about his political future, as he stressed he has no plans to seek election after his term in the Senate ends in 2031.

Lacson – who spent more than 50 years in public service – emphasized this on Saturday after being asked about possible alignments and offers ahead of the 2028 national elections.

“Absolutely none. I’m nearing the twilight of my career. And I am still eligible for reelection in 2031 but I am not intending to. I intend to finish my public service career in 2031, when my current or first term ends in the Senate,” he said at an interview here.

In Filipino: Lacson: Walang Plano sa Pulitika Lampas sa 2031

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Lacson: President’s Orders to Pay Performing Contractors, Monitor Projects to Help Avert Infra Crisis

The orders of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to promptly pay performing contractors and to regularly monitor projects will help avert a looming infrastructure crisis, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson said these should help address the risk posed by the reluctance if not refusal of many contractors to participate in biddings for Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects.

“Spot on. Amidst reluctance, even refusal of many contractors to participate in public biddings for the DPWH infrastructure projects, the President’s order to facilitate the payment of outstanding obligations to contractors who delivered on their contracted government projects will help prevent a looming infrastructure crisis brought about by the ongoing reforms in the DPWH in the proper utilization of the national budget,” he said of the President’s order to promptly pay “good” contractors.

In Filipino: Lacson: Utos ng Pangulo na Bayaran ang Matinong Kontratista at Bantayan ang mga Proyekto, Makakatulong na Maiwasan ang Krisis sa Imprastraktura

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Lacson: Government’s Fight vs Corruption Must be for All Filipinos, Not Just Business Sector

The government’s campaign against corruption should uphold not just the call of the business sector but also the welfare of ordinary Filipino taxpayers who cannot escape paying taxes, including the 12% value-added tax, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Monday.

Lacson stressed this after 34 business groups and associations signed a resolution calling on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to take “swift, decisive action” against corruption, which they described as more than a financial loss but a “fatal breach of public trust.”

“I couldn’t agree more with the business sector except that they should not only be speaking on their behalf but for the tens of millions of individual taxpayers including every Filipino that cannot escape the 12% VAT or consumer tax that we all pay in exchange for goods and services that we deal with on a daily basis,” said Lacson, an avowed enemy of corruption.

In Filipino: Lacson: Laban vs Katiwalian Dapat Para sa Lahat ng Pilipino, Hindi Lang sa Negosyante

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Lacson Pushes Retribution and Restitution for Anomalous Infra Projects

“Retribution plus restitution” should be the formula of the government in dealing with erring officials and contractors behind anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson said the government – and taxpayers – can potentially get back an initial P26 billion from contracted flood control ghost projects between 2023 and 2025 worth P629 billion, with 80% possible restitution in exchange for shortened jail terms after conviction of those involved.

“A simple extrapolation using the initial finding of 421 contracted ghost flood control projects out of the 8,000 (5.26%) so far inspected by the AFP/PNP/DepDev composite team as standard, with an aggregate total amount of at least P629B worth of flood control CONTRACTED projects in 2023-2025, if all those responsible – contractors, politicians and Department of Public Works and Highways officials – will return just 80% of their loot, after a plea bargaining agreement in exchange for shortened jail terms, easily the Filipino people can recover at least P26 billion,” Lacson said.

“Imagine the hundreds of billions in taxpayers’ money that we may be able to recover out of all the other similarly corrupted infrastructure projects,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Itinulak ang ‘Retribution and Restitution’ Formula para sa Maanomalyang Infra Projects

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