Tag: Bureau of Customs

Statements, Videos

Mga Inaasahan sa Huling SONA ni Pangulong Duterte, Isiniwalat ni Ping
Image: CTTO

Ano ang kalagayan ng programa ng gobyerno sa pagbabakuna laban sa COVID-19, at ang pakikipaglaban sa katiwalian? Mas bumuti ba ang buhay natin ngayon mula nang mag-umpisa ang administrasyon ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte noong 2016? Ano pa ang puwede niyang gawin sa nalalabing panahon ng kanyang termino?

Ilan ito sa mga katanungan ni Senador Panfilo Lacson na inaasahan niyang masasagot ng Pangulo sa panghuling State of the Nation Address (SONA) nito sa Hulyo 26.

“After five years, where are we now, or what is the situation in the many aspects of his administration such as peace and order, fight against illegal drugs, corruption, economy, and foreign policy, particularly the West Philippine Sea? We want to hear what happened in the last five years – and moving forward for the last year of his administration, what can still be done?” banggit ni Lacson sa isang media forum nitong Linggo.

Sa kanyang mga katanungan ay binigyang diin ng mambabatas ang programa sa pagbabakuna.

“But it is critical to update us on the government’s response to the pandemic. This includes the status of the government’s vaccination program. This is important because many Filipinos still do not trust the vaccine. In the meantime, the government must continue its campaign to gain the people’s trust in vaccines, based on science,” ayon pa sa mambabatas.

Read in ENGLISH: Lacson Bares Expectations from President Duterte’s Final SONA
Continue reading “Mga Inaasahan sa Huling SONA ni Pangulong Duterte, Isiniwalat ni Ping” →

Statements, Videos

Lacson Bares Expectations from President Duterte’s Final SONA
Image: CTTO

What is the status of the government’s vaccination program, and its fight against corruption? Are we better off than when President Rodrigo Duterte started his term in 2016? What can be done in the last year of his term?

These are among the questions that Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson hopes the President will address in his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) this July.

“After five years, where are we now, or what is the situation in the many aspects of his administration such as peace and order, fight against illegal drugs, corruption, economy, and foreign policy, particularly the West Philippine Sea? We want to hear what happened in the last five years – and moving forward for the last year of his administration, what can still be done?” Lacson said at a media forum in Manila on Sunday.

“But it is critical to update us on the government’s response to the pandemic. This includes the status of the government’s vaccination program. This is important because many Filipinos still do not trust the vaccine. In the meantime, the government must continue its campaign to gain the people’s trust in vaccines, based on science,” he added.

Basahin sa TAGALOG: Mga Inaasahan sa Huling SONA ni Pangulong Duterte, Isiniwalat ni Ping
Continue reading “Lacson Bares Expectations from President Duterte’s Final SONA” →

Statements

Just Because I Criticize, Pamumulitika Na?

Maraming magandang naidudulot ang constructive criticism:

#FreeEducation
#NationalID
#UniversalHealthCare
#BayanihanAct
#PhilHealthScam
#DPWHCorruption
#DOHincompetence
#BOCShabuShipment

… at marami pang iba!

 

Statements

How Flexibility and Urgency from the DOH and FDA Can Save More Lives from COVID-19
Image Courtesy: Senate PRIB

Our lockdown is obviously working, no doubt. We can see it ourselves even from the windows of our own houses. But it is not enough by itself to flatten the COVID-19 curve. South Korea has reported to have flattened the curve through mass testing, not lockdown.

What we lack is the ability of the Department of Health to be more flexible. Hundreds of thousands of rapid test kits for donation by some local businessmen and procured from South Korea and China – already in use in those jurisdictions, having been certified by their regulatory agencies – have already arrived at least over a week ago. Yet, a big volume is still being held by Customs. Why?

Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration – an agency under the DOH – still refuses to issue even a provisional accreditation, which is needed so those test kits can be distributed for use particularly by those who have symptoms or those who have had direct contact with infected persons, even on a “do-it-yourself” basis, so they can immediately practice self-isolation should they test positive. In turn, this can prevent or at least minimize the spread of the virus.

That, instead of overly restrictive regulations imposed by our DOH, will certainly help obviate a possibly uncontrollable spread of the COVID-19.

As of last Monday, when we were deliberating on the just-signed Bayanihan To Heal As One Act, we tested only 1,500 Filipinos, more or less. With a population of 107 million, the worst is yet to come unless DOH and FDA act with urgency.

That is why I proposed an amendment – which is now Section 4 (j) of RA 11469, the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act. This aims to “ensure that donation, acceptance and distribution of health products intended to address the COVID-19 public health emergency are not unnecessarily delayed and that health products for donation duly certified by the regulatory agency or their accredited third party from countries with established regulation shall automatically be cleared: Provided, this shall not apply to health products which do not require a certification or clearance from (FDA).”

*****

In the News, Radio, Statements

#PINGterview: Legislation vs Money Laundering

In an interview on DZMM, Sen. Lacson answered questions on possible legislation vs money laundering.

QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Legislation vs Money Laundering” →

In the News, Radio, Statements

Interview on DZMM: Effects of GCTA Row | Aug. 29, 2019

In an interview on DZMM, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– possible irregularities in the ‘Good Conduct Time Allowance’ system
– fear felt by kin of KFR victims due to possible release of KFR convicts due to GCTA

Quotes from the interview…
 Continue reading “Interview on DZMM: Effects of GCTA Row | Aug. 29, 2019” →

In the News, Radio, Statements

Interview on DZMM: Death Penalty Bill, National ID Law, Corruption at BOC | July 25, 2019

In an interview on DZMM, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– death penalty bill covering lawmen who ‘plant’ evidence
– implementation of the National ID law
– corruption at the Bureau of Customs

Related:
FAQ about the National ID System
Senate Bill 27: An Act Reinstituting the Death Penalty in the Philippines
Quotes from the interview… 
Continue reading “Interview on DZMM: Death Penalty Bill, National ID Law, Corruption at BOC | July 25, 2019” →

Photos, Privilege Speeches, Videos

“What a Mess: A Dumping Ground of Garbage and Drugs”

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We spend a great deal of taxpayers’ money for an automated processing system, x-ray scanners, even for brokers’ accreditation, not to mention fairly high salaries for seasoned military men at the helm of the Bureau of Customs. But at the end of the day – all our efforts be damned — we are still one hell of a mess.

Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I rise before you on a matter of personal and collective privilege.

To say that our country is treated like trash appears to be true, as in literally, amid news reports of tons of waste being illegally shipped into our lands, no thanks to local and foreign smugglers, unscrupulous Customs brokers and corrupt Customs officials.

Related:
At a Glance: A Dumping Ground of Garbage and Drugs
“KITA KITA” (sa Customs): Paglahad sa Payola sa Bureau of Customs
Continue reading ““What a Mess: A Dumping Ground of Garbage and Drugs”” →

In the News, Online

Lacson: Wasteful projects worth P583 billion [Inquirer]

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From the Inquirer: “We’re either overtaxed or underserved, or both,” said Lacson, who opened a can of worms this month when he discussed last-minute insertions of multibillion-peso allocations for the districts of favored lawmakers in the proposed P3.8-trillion budget for 2019. Continue reading “Lacson: Wasteful projects worth P583 billion [Inquirer]” →

In the News, Radio, Statements

Interview on DWIZ | Oct. 27, 2018

In an interview on DWIZ, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– situation of detained Sen. de Lima
– options for new Customs Commissioner Guerrero
– PNPA sex scandal as a ‘test case’ for the Anti-Hazing Law of 2018
– proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2018
– Sen. Honasan being eyed to head DICT

Quotes from the interview…  Continue reading “Interview on DWIZ | Oct. 27, 2018” →

In the News, Online, Photos, Videos

Interview at the #MeetInquirer multimedia forum | Aug. 16, 2018

At the #MeetInquirer multimedia forum, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– ‘Hybrid’ budget
– National ID
– President Duterte’s reported thinking of stepping down
– Addressing the problems at BOC
– Pork barrel system
– PDEA’s need to refocus anti-drug strategy
– Sen. Tito Sotto as Senate President
– Political scene 2022

* video courtesy Inquirer.net Facebook page

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Quotes from the interview…  Continue reading “Interview at the #MeetInquirer multimedia forum | Aug. 16, 2018” →