Lacson Defends Blue Ribbon Committee’s Institutional Processes Against Marcoleta’s ‘Pagbibida-Bida’

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday defended the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s institutional processes against the “pagbibida-bida” (know-it-all actions) of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on the committee’s investigation into the flood control scandal.

In a privilege speech, Lacson, who chairs the Blue Ribbon Committee, refuted what he called Marcoleta’s “tirades and prevarications in and out of the Senate” targeting him.

“Much as I would like to abide by what my elders had taught me that “silence is the best response to nonsense,” I am constrained to take the floor to set the record straight and correct the prevarications spewed on this very floor by one of our colleagues, namely Senator Rodante Marcoleta,” he said.

“Like on many past occasions, I could have effortlessly dismissed Senator Marcoleta’s statements, as I refuse to dignify his ego-driven provocations. But when the attacks shift from professional to obsessively personal, I must shut the whole political circus down – firmly, completely, and without ambiguity,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Binoljak si Marcoleta sa Pagbibida-Bida sa Blue Ribbon Probe

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Lacson: Complete Overhaul Due for PCAB Amid Worsening Stench of Corruption

No less than a complete overhaul of the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) is needed at this time, in the wake of its role in the corruption behind substandard and ghost flood control projects.

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed this Thursday following the reported resignation of PCAB executive director Herbert Matienzo, even as he scored the worsening stench of corruption in government.

“A complete overhaul of the PCAB board is in order at this point. The PCAB has been a low-key yet corrupt-ridden regulatory body which, in tandem with the Department of Public Works and Highways has methodically punched us in the gut, providing the first of a one-two punch thus knocking out our hard earned tax payments,” Lacson said.

In Filipino: Lacson: Overhaul ang Kailangan Para sa PCAB sa Gitna ng Masangsang na Amoy ng Korapsyon

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Flooded Gates of Corruption: From Congressmen-Contractors to PCAB Directors-Contractors

Instead of an outright denial to project themselves as “lily-white” and “pure as the driven snow,” the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) should at least look into allegations against their own people’s improper conduct. Aside from reports of corruption in their ranks, there is potential conflict of interest involving at least two board directors in violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, or Republic Act 6713.

With these words, Senator Panfilo M. Lacson called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP) to immediately conduct an investigation and file the necessary criminal and administrative charges against at least two members of the PCAB Board for overlapping and conflicting positions as owners of construction companies while serving as members of the board of PCAB and bagging government contracts.

Lacson raised this issue as he exposed the apparent conflict of interest of at least two board members – Engineers Erni Baggao and Arthur Escalante.

“Paging PCAB – Instead of an outright denial, you should at least look into allegations against your own people’s improper conduct. Aside from reports of corruption in your ranks, there is potential conflict of interest involving your 2 board directors in violation of RA 6713,” Lacson said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Baha ng Katiwalian: Mula sa mga Kongresistang Kontratista hanggang sa mga Direktor-Kontratista ng PCAB

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On the Reported Shouting Match over Corruption at PhilHealth

Unabated corruption and mismanagement of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) funds has been a topic of discussion among Senate President Sotto and me, along with some senators from the majority bloc, for quite some time now.

But the reported shouting match in a recent virtual conference between the PhilHealth president and some board members involving almost P1 billion worth of questionable transactions, including a total overprice of P98 million – if true, says it all.

I am now drafting a resolution calling for a Senate Committee of the Whole inquiry. As expressed by SP Sotto to me last night, this inquiry will be one of the Senate’s top agenda after our session resumes on Monday.

That such corruption occurred amid the COVID-19 crisis makes it more disgusting and abominable. Nakakasuya na sobra. Needless to say, there is urgency that the Senate has to act on the matter immediately, as part of its oversight mandate, having passed the Universal Health Law.

When the Senate investigated issues surrounding PhilHealth and the Department of Health – including instances of conflict of interest involving the family of DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III with the family-owned Doctors Pharmaceuticals Inc. having contracts with the Department of Health, and the PhilHealth regional office renting a Duque-owned building; and with the Secretary’s pattern of failure prompting 14 of us in the Senate to file a resolution seeking his resignation – we had high hopes the shenanigans at PhilHealth would end with a new leadership. Sad to say, how wrong we were.

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QUOTES from DZBB/GNTV INTERVIEW:
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Interview on DZBB/GNTV: Europe Trip, Reward for Questionable PhilHealth Action? | Aug. 18, 2019

In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson questioned the trip to Europe of at least one PhilHealth official following the PhilHealth board’s reversal of a decision of the Court of Appeals. Sen. Lacson also answered questions on:
– special audit needed for PhilHealth
– PhilHealth ‘mafia’
– conflict of interest involving DOH Sec Duque and kin

Quotes from the interview…
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