In an interview on Radyo5, Ping Lacson answered questions on:
* evolving pork barrel and insertions in the budget
* Senate coup rumor
* House’s version of economic Chacha (RBH-7)
Continue reading “Ping: Evolving Pork, Senate Coup Rumor, House’s Chacha”
Former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on efforts to amend the Constitution in 2024:
Patawarin uli natin si Cong Garbin – dahil talagang hindi niya alam ang sinasabi niya.
Ito ang reaksiyon ni Senador Panfilo Lacson sa paggamit ni House Committee on Constitutional Amendments chairman Alfredo Garbin Jr. sa isang resolusyon na isinulong ng senador noon pang 17th Congress.
Sa panayam ng Politiko TV, iginiit ni Garbin na ang pagtalakay sa pagbabago sa Saligang Batas na kanilang ginagawa ay batay sa Senate Resolution 580 na inihain ni Lacson noong Enero 2018.
“Under Senate Resolution 580, which I filed in 2018, proposed changes are to undergo the regular lawmaking process. This means proposed amendments to the Charter are to be tackled at the committee level first, then approved in the plenary, before both Houses convene into a constituent assembly. Nowhere in the resolution does it say na committee pa lang, Con-Ass na,” ayon kay Lacson.
Related: Patawarin Natin Ulit: Lacson Trashes Charter Change Proponent’s New Claims
Continue reading “Ping: Patawarin na Lang Natin Ulit ang Cha-Cha Pusher sa Kamara”
Forgive Cong Garbin yet again. This time – for he knows not what he says.
On this note, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson debunked on Saturday the new claim by Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. that the tackling of proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution by a House panel last Wednesday was in line with a Senate resolution he authored in the 17th Congress.
Garbin claimed in an online interview Friday that Senate Resolution 580, which Lacson introduced in January 2018, allows both Houses to separately tackle amendments to the Constitution without need for a joint session.
“Under Senate Resolution 580, which I filed in 2018, proposed changes are to undergo the regular lawmaking process. This means proposed amendments to the Charter are to be tackled at the committee level first, then approved in the plenary, before both Houses convene into a constituent assembly. Nowhere in the resolution does it say na committee pa lang, Con-Ass na,” Lacson said.
Related: Ping: Patawarin na Lang Natin Ulit ang Cha-Cha Pusher sa Kamara
Continue reading “Patawarin Natin Ulit: Lacson Trashes Charter Change Proponent’s New Claims”
In an interview on DWIZ, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* Expectations at President Duterte’s SONA [00:11]
* Latest corruption and mismanagement at PhilHealth [07:20]
* Claims that IATF is a failure in dealing with COVID-19 [37:04]
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Dapat May Makulong na sa Katiwalian sa PhilHealth!”
Speaker Cayetano may have a point since the Constitution provides that bills of local application like franchise measures must originate from the House of Representatives.
He is wrong in equating it to the Charter change issue, though, since as practiced and for expediency, we conduct committee hearings on tax and budget measures even before the House transmits its approved version of the bill to the Senate.
What can be considered blatantly violative of the Constitution is if the Senate committee chairperson reports out on the floor for plenary debates the committee report. This is something we have not done and will never do.
Having said that, what I understand to be tackled by the Public Services Committee are not the bills in connection with the ABS-CBN franchise but a filed resolution to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the alleged violations of ABS-CBN that is being questioned by the Office of the Solicitor General before the Supreme Court via a quo warranto petition in which I have earlier expressed reservation out of courtesy to a co-equal branch that has already given due course to the said petition.
*****
It is at best, half of the story.
Being bicameral, without the Senate agreeing to amending the Charter via a constituent assembly, no amount of determined efforts by the House members will bring to reality new provisions of the 1987 Constitution, whether economic or political.
*****
In an interview, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– possible effects of a ‘shared’ House Speakership
– possible ‘pork’ in the budget, amending the 1987 Constitution
– Senate’s continued independence even with ‘the President’s men’
– passage of death penalty bill
– Sen dela Rosa’s ‘S*** happens’ statement
Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “#PingSays: ‘Shared’ House Speakership; Death Penalty Bill; Sen. Bato | July 9, 2019”
In an interview on DWIZ, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– new scheme involving parking of ‘pork’
– bill seeking the abolition of the Road Board
– moves to amend the 1987 Constitution
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “Interview on DWIZ | Dec. 15, 2018”
In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– speculations on the health of President Duterte
– proposed amendments to the Charter by the House
– possibility of suspending fuel taxes
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “#PingSays: On the President’s health, latest proposed amendments to the Constitution | Oct. 10, 2018”
At the Kapihan sa Senado forum, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– House leadership change and Mayor Sara Duterte’s alleged role
– Lamitan suicide bombing
– Internal cleansing vs scalawags in the PNP
– Charter change and federalism
– Using seized smuggled high-end vehicles vs criminals
– firing of Deputy Ombudsman Carandang
– US proceedings vs Janet Napoles
– TRAIN-2 in the Senate
– proposed 60-40 joint exploration with China in the West PH Sea
Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Kapihan sa Senado forum | Aug. 2, 2018”
From the Manila Bulletin: Senator Panfilo Lacson said the Senate is not adopting any joint resolution that would pave the way for the formation of a Constituent Assembly (Con Ass) made up of members of the current Senate and the 300-member House of Representatives to amend the 31-year-old Charter. Continue reading “Proposals to change 1987 Constitution as good as dead in Senate, Lacson says [Manila Bulletin]”
In an interview on CNN Philippines, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– Basilan bombing
– leadership row at the House of Representatives
– Senate unity on Charter change
– Mayor Sara Duterte and the political landscape
– TRAIN
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “Interview on CNN Philippines | Aug. 1, 2018”
From the Manila Bulletin:”We will assert our role in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, as simple as that. Meaning, we’ll not enter into a joint session or convene into a joint session kung hindi malinaw na voting separately,” Sen. Lacson said. Continue reading “Lacson: ‘We’ll stand as one body, as the Senate’ [Manila Bulletin]”
“Ako, naniniwala ako lahat ng tao may redemption. Anuman ang ‘kasalanan’ niya sa nakaraan, lalo sa akin.” – Sen. Lacson, in an interview with Senate media
In an interview, Sen. Lacson said the Senate will have a united stand on the issue of Charter change.
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “#PingSays: Senate to be united on Charter change issue | July 24, 2018”
Nothing escapes the Senate’s participation. Thus, aside from Sec. 1 under Art XVII which provides for a Constituent Assembly and Constitutional Convention, Sec. 2, particularly Paragraph 2, which allows the direct participation of the people, shall likewise need the Senate to implement the same.
Hence, and I quote to preclude any misinterpretation:
SECTION 2. Amendments to this Constitution may likewise be directly proposed by the people through initiative upon a petition of at least twelve per centum of the total number of registered voters, of which every legislative district must be represented by at least three per centum of the registered voters therein. No amendment under this section shall be authorized within five years following the ratification of this Constitution nor oftener than once every five years thereafter. The Congress shall provide for the implementation of the exercise of this right.
Nothing could be clearer.
It goes without saying, majority of the senators, even those running for re-election, will fight tooth and nail any attempt to cancel the 2019 midterm elections simply because it is wrong and self-serving.
*****
The proposed draft charter is not about one person, or for those opposing and supporting it. Neither is it about us in this present generation.
Therefore, when it is transmitted to Congress, we must base our decision on what should serve best the interest of future generations of Filipinos.
In fact, that should be our first and only consideration.
*****
In an interview on DWIZ, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– COA report that Office of the President’s confidential/intel funds up 350% from 2016
– killing of Mayor Antonio Halili
– peace talks with CPP-NPA-NDF
– proposed amendments to the Constitution
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “Interview on DWIZ | July 7, 2018”
In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– need for PNP to be stricter vs loose firearms
– recent killings of local officials
– anti-jueteng operations
– proposed amendments to the Constitution by the consultative committee
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “#PingSays: On addressing loose firearms, anti-jueteng ops, Charter change | July 4, 2018”
At the Kapihan sa Senado forum, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– Ombudsman’s resolution on P6.4B shabu shipment
– PDEA’s releasing of narco list
– Assessment of the government’s anti-drug war
– Charter change and shift to federalism
– CJ Sereno’s impeachment
– PH-Kuwait ties
– Blue Ribbon committee issues
– Senate transfer
– Senate leadership change
Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Kapihan sa Senado forum | May 3, 2018”
At the Senate’s regional consultative hearing on Charter change in Baguio City, Sen. Lacson stressed the need for empowering LGUs. Even without amending the Charter, he noted this can be done.
In 2016, Lacson filed Senate Bill 40, the Budget Reform for Village Empowerment Act of 2016. The bill seeks to “end the culture of mendicancy and political patronage” while helping Filipinos realize the “elusive inclusive growth.”
Related:
LGU, direktang dadaluyan ng pondo sa panukala ni Ping
Lacson files LGU-empowering budget reform bill to achieve inclusive growth
In an interview, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– questions on PCSO’s STL collection
– Senate discussion of Charter change
– why no one from BOC charged for P6.4B shabu smuggling
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “#PingSays: On PCSO’s STL collections, Charter change, and charges on P6.4B shabu smuggling | Jan. 31, 2018”
In an interview on DZIQ, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– Charter change
– PCSO’s STL being used as front
– Atio Castillo hazing death
– Message to the public
Related:
Senators united stance on the issue of Charter change
PCSO’s problems with illegal gambling operators
Sponsorship Speech for Committee Report 232 and Senate Bill 1662
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “Interview on DZIQ | Jan. 26, 2018”
In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions on the House of Representatives’ efforts to go at Charter change alone.
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “#PingSays: Will the House’s efforts to force Charter change put the Comelec in trouble? | Jan. 23, 2018”
Hindi man matuloy ang Charter Change, siguradong makakamit pa rin ang mithiin na isinusulong ng Duterte administration sa ilalim ng pederalismo, sa pamamagitan ng panukala ni Senador Panfilo Lacson.
Nakapaloob na kasi sa Senate Bill 40 na tinaguriang Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE) at isinulong ni Lacson kasabay ng pagbukas ng kasalukuyang Kongreso ang halos lahat ng mithiin ng pederalismo.
🔈Pakinggan ang paliwanag ni Sen. Lacson sa BRAVE
Pangunahing nilalaman ng BRAVE bill ni Lacson ang direktang pagbibigay ng pondo sa mga lokal na pamahalaan upang mapondohan ng mga ito ang mga proyektong kailangan nila base sa personal na obserbasyon sa mga nasasakupan.
Related: Lacson: BRAVE to meet federalism goals without need to amend the Constitution
Continue reading “Lacson, May Mala-Pederalismo na Panukala na Walang Cha-Cha”
For their own sake, they should not allow themselves to look pathetic and worse, ridiculous. Having said that, they should read the 1987 Constitution in its entirety, or at the very least, Art XVII, Sec. 1 (Amendments or Revisions) in relation to Art VI Sec. 1 (Legislative Department) that explicitly refers to “the Congress” as the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Interpreting “the Congress” under Art XVII to refer to one chamber only is at best, self-serving. They pride themselves as lawyers in good standing but it only takes a layman who knows how to read and understand simple words and literature in order to appreciate what is right and wrong.
As for questioning the House’s move before the Supreme Court, there is need, and we will not. They can propose amendments or revision all they want but at the end of the day, a plebiscite would necessitate an item in the General Appropriations Act to be appropriated for the Commission on Elections to conduct such plebiscite.
Without the Senate, how can such appropriation materialize?
*****
Under Art. VI, Sec. 1 of the 1987 Constitution: “The legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the Philippines which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives…”
Related: Senators close ranks, won’t attend joint session without authorization
The goals of federalism can still be met without the need to spend much time and resources to amend or revise the 1987 Constitution, if Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson’s Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE) bill is passed into law.
Lacson said the BRAVE bill, which is similar to federalism as it empowers local government units by giving them funding for their development projects, even gained the support of Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr.
“Parang federalism yan dahil ibababa ang karamihan ng pondo o malaking bahagi ng pondo ng national government, ilalatag papunta sa kanayunan sa probinsya nang sa ganoon matuto sila mag-develop on their own,” Lacson said in an interview on DZBB on Sunday.
🔈Listen to Sen. Lacson’s explanation of BRAVE
“Kung ito halimbawa ma-approve sa House of Representatives at Senado at ma-bicameral, ma-approve ito maging batas, masasabatas ang pagkalat ng pondo sa mga probinsya,” he added.
Related: Lacson may mala-pederalismo na panukala na walang Cha-Cha
Continue reading “Lacson: BRAVE to Meet Federalism Goals Without Need to Amend the Constitution”
In an interview on DZBB, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– BRAVE bill as alternative measure to empower LGUs if Charter change cannot push through
– Senate unity on Charter change issue
– removal of height requirement in the PNP
Related:
Lacson files LGU-empowering budget reform bill to achieve inclusive growth
LGU, direktang dadaluyan ng pondo sa panukala ni Ping
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “Interview on DZBB | Jan. 21, 2018”
At the Senate hearing on Charter change on Jan. 17, former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. congratulated Sen. Lacson for filing Senate Resolution 580:
“I would like to commend and congratulate you for filing that resolution, for the Senate now to act on proposing or initiating an amendment to the Constitution as a separate institutional body independent and coordinate with the Lower House. (The) proposal in the Lower House may reach its goal by riding on a bullet train, it could be the second train in the Lower House faster as expected because you have in the Lower House a super majority. And I don’t think with that composition of the Lower House now will be an objective deliberation. You can even say it is a done deal in the Lower House.
In the Senate, with that resolution, you can put a brake to any attempt to railroad a proposal to amend the Constitution.“
Related:
Senate Resolution 580, constituting the Senate into a constituent assembly
Senate Resolution 580 gains support in the Senate
On the higher level of discourse at the Senate hearing on Charter change
In an interview, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– senators agreeing not to attend a joint session for Charter change without assurance the Senate and House will vote separately
– possible expulsion of senators who attend a joint session without authorization
– constitutional convention or constituent assembly?
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “#PingSays: Senators close ranks, won’t attend ConAss joint session without proper assurances | Jan. 17, 2018”
At the Senate hearing discussing moves to amend the Constitution, Sen. Lacson was congratulated by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. for Senate Resolution 580, which lets the Senate act on proposing or initiating an amendment to the Constitution “as a separate institutional body independent” of the Lower House.
Quotes from the hearing… Continue reading “At the Senate Hearing Discussing Moves to Amend the Constitution”
In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– changing the Constitution’s provisions on term limits
– support for Senate Resolution 580
Related:
Read: Senate Resolution 580, constituting the Senate into a constituent assembly
Senate Resolution 580 gains support
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “#PingSays: On Charter change moves in the Senate and House | Jan. 16, 2018”
At the Senate’s regular session, some colleagues asked to be co-authors of Sen. Lacson’s Senate Resolution 580, which seeks to have the Senate convene into a constituent assembly to tackle proposed changes to the Constitution. These include Senators Tito Sotto, Gringo Honasan, Grace Poe, and Migz Zubiri.
Senate Resolution 580 calls for the constitution of the Senate of the Philippines into a constituent assembly to propose amendments to – or revision of – the Constitution, and upon approval of 3/4 vote of its members adopt the same.
At the Kapihan sa Senado forum, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– Charter change
– death penalty legislation
– effects of TRAIN
– alleged irregularities in PCSO
– allegations of CPP/NPA plotting to overthrow government
Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Kapihan sa Senado forum | Jan. 11, 2018”
The opposition need not invent the best antidote to Charter change. No less than the two leaders of both houses of Congress have started campaigning against it, albeit subliminally.
Floating a no-el and term extension scenario, as recent history would suggest, won’t help their advocacy to shift to a federal form of government, inevitably via an amendment of the Constitution.
*****
