Tag: Comelec

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Lacson Cites Constitutional Path for Using BSKE Funds for Crisis Response Amid Comelec Chairman’s Concerns

Realigning the Commission on Elections (Comelec)’s budget for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to agencies outside the Comelec may be unconstitutional, but a constitutional path exists to channel the funds for crisis response, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Monday.

Lacson thus allayed the concerns of Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia on proposals to postpone the BSKE and use some P16 billion in unspent funds allocated to it to address the fuel crisis stemming from the conflict in the Middle East.

“What the Chairman says is true. Funds allocated to the Comelec cannot be realigned to items outside it because that would be unconstitutional. But the allocations can still be treated as savings – Comelec may opt not to spend the funds for the BSKE and declare them as savings to be returned to the Treasury,” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson, Itinuro ang Konstitusyunal na Paraan Para sa BSKE Funds sa Gitna ng Pangamba ng Comelec

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Lacson Scores Marcoleta ‘Hypocrisy’ on Parliamentary, Inter-Parliamentary Courtesy

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday scored Sen. Rodante Marcoleta over his “hypocrisy” regarding parliamentary and inter-parliamentary courtesy, by disregarding and invoking these when they suit his interests.

Lacson said that while Marcoleta opposed inter-parliamentary courtesy in inviting House members including former Speaker Martin Romualdez to Blue Ribbon Committee hearings, he insisted that parliamentary courtesy be followed in rushing the approval of the budget of the Office of the Vice President in 2024.

“Such hypocrisy. Such a double standard. Such a farce that does not dignify an answer, Mr. President,'” Lacson said in a privilege speech.

In Filipino: Lacson, Binatikos ang ‘Hypocrisy’ ni Marcoleta sa Usaping Parliamentary at Inter-Parliamentary Courtesy

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Lacson: Marcoleta Liable for Indirect Bribery Over Undeclared Campaign Donations

Sen. Rodante Marcoleta may be liable for indirect bribery over his undeclared campaign funds in last year’s senatorial elections, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson noted that Marcoleta’s attempts to explain his failure to disclose his campaign contributors in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) smack of admission against interest.

He added that while Marcoleta and his legal team claimed he received the contributions before he became a candidate, he was still a public official at the time – a representative of SAGIP party list in the House.

In Filipino: Lacson: Maaaring Managot si Marcoleta sa Indirect Bribery Dahil sa Hindi Idineklarang Campaign Donations

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Speech of Senator-Elect Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson at Comelec Proclamation

Matagal-tagal ko na ring kakilala si Chairman Garcia. At kung hindi ako nagkakamali, kami ay magkakababayan sa lalawigan ng Cavite. Pero hindi ko akalain na ganito pala siya kasadista. 90 days kaming nagkampanya. Halos araw-araw na ginawa ng Diyos, speech kami ng speech. Nang makita ko ang programa, speech na naman? Poproklama na kami, panalo na kami, speech na naman kami Chairman?

Levity aside, barring any future adverse, serious and credible issues or accusations raised against the Commission on Elections in the conduct of the May 2025 elections, I take my hat off to Chairman Garcia, the Comelec commissioners, the staff, the employees of the Commission on Elections for a job well done.

Like those who spoke before me and those who will speak after me, I have a long list of people to thank for making today possible. But I will only mention three most important individuals: God, my dear mother, and my dear father. Incidentally, they are all in heaven.

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Ping Lacson Proposes Proactive Solution to Poll Violence in Maguindanao

Former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson proposed on Thursday a proactive solution to address the poll-related violence in parts of Mindanao, including Maguindanao: have Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel secure opposing candidates there.

Lacson pointed out that this should be a step beyond the investigation by the Philippine National Police (PNP) of election-related violence cases.

“Beyond the usual reactive investigation of election-related violence in Maguindanao, government may consider replacing all the security escorts of the opposing candidates with AFP personnel belonging to the same army battalion or division in the region,” he said in a post on X.

“Having Army personnel belonging to the same unit and under the same field commanders replacing PNP and private armed groups securing both camps will prevent armed confrontations,” he added.

Related: Ping Lacson, Nagmungkahi ng Proactive na Solusyon vs Poll Violence sa Maguindanao

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