Lacson: DPWH Guarantees Halt to Projects Tied to Illegal Reclamation in Taguig

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has guaranteed it will issue cease-and-desist orders to halt ongoing projects in Taguig City tied to illegal reclamation works there, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson said DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon “guaranteed” him the agency will immediately issue the cease-and-desist orders upon receiving the appropriate requests from the Philippine Reclamation Authority.

“Sec. Dizon guaranteed that once he receives the PRA’s request to issue cease-and-desist orders, he will issue them immediately,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

“This will prevent the worsening of the situation where government money is wasted on contractors who are doing the wrong thing,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: DPWH, Ginarantiyahang Ihihinto ang mga Proyektong Kaugnay ng Ilegal na Reclamation sa Taguig

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Lacson Vows Budgetary Support for AFP Drone Capability Development

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Thursday pledged budgetary support for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to develop drone capabilities for national defense, especially against external aggression.

Lacson gave the assurance to AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, noting that drones could provide the Philippines with a more practical and affordable defense capability compared to more expensive platforms such as warships and long-range missiles.

“I just want to find out (some details para) pagdating ng budget deliberations we can support the program, meron talaga kayong tangible program para mag-develop ng drones. Kasi ito lang ang pwede nating panlaban considering our situation (I just want to find out some details so that when we start budget deliberations, we can support the program if you have a tangible program to develop drones. Drones are the only practical option we have against external aggression, considering our situation),” he said at the confirmation hearing of AFP officials at the Commission on Appointments.

“I don’t think we have the wherewithal to build big warships and long-range missiles and the like. Meron ba tayong programa sa development ng drones, in case may external aggression? At least may laban man lang tayo maski wala tayong pera (I don’t think we have the wherewithal to build big warships or acquire long-range missiles and the like. Do we have a program to develop drones against external aggression? At least we have a fighting chance even if we don’t have enough funds),” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Nangako ng Suporta sa Badyet para sa Pagpapaunlad ng Drone Capability ng AFP

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Lacson: Public Anger over Flood Control Issue Won’t Go Away Without Retribution, Restitution

Unless Filipinos see genuine retribution and restitution, their anger over the flood control issue will not go away anytime soon, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Monday.

Lacson said the latest flooding in several parts of the country over the weekend, following heavy rains, has once again fueled public anger over the issue.

“The flood control issue will not go away easily. After a heavy downpour leaves flooded streets and yards, people will not be short on words in cursing politicians, Department of Public Works and Highways officials and contractors – unless, and this is probably – genuine retribution and restitution become the order of the day no matter who were involved,” he said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Galit ng Publiko sa Isyu ng Flood Control, Hindi Mawawala Kung Walang Retribusyon, Restitusyon

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Lacson: PRA Starts Process to Forfeit Illegally Reclaimed Taguig Land for National Government

The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) has started the process that could lead to the forfeiture in favor of the national government of several hectares of illegally reclaimed land on the Taguig side of Laguna Lake, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson said the PRA has confirmed his and his team’s initial findings that the Taguig City government had not secured a single permit required to undertake the reclamation.

“They are moving toward an investigation that would lead to a PRA board resolution to start the process toward forfeiture proceedings. If reclamation is undertaken without a permit from the PRA, which is the agency mandated to regulate reclamation and issue the necessary permits, the logical conclusion is that the land should be forfeited in favor of the national government. And the PRA confirmed that there was not a single permit,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

“The reclaimed land may be benefiting residents, as former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano claims, but the proper procedures and laws still have to be followed, including securing the necessary permits. The PRA said the city government did not secure a single permit,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: PRA, Sinimulan na ang Proseso para I-Forfeit sa Pambansang Gobyerno ang Ilegal na Ni-Reclaim na Lupa sa Taguig

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Lacson: Maleta Boys’ Recantation Raises More Questions; Those Behind the Confusion Must be Held Accountable

The recantation by some of the 18 “Maleta Boys” of their claims about cash deliveries in suitcases to certain personalities raises even more questions, but authorities should also track down and hold accountable those behind the confusion they have created, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday.

Lacson said the “Maleta Boys” have made so many flip-flopping statements in various fora and venues that the public no longer knows which of their claims to believe.

“First question that needs to be answered is – are these four part or outside of the eight reported earlier to have submitted their sworn statements to the Ombudsman which triggered the initiation of the preliminary investigation against former Speaker Martin Romualdez, et al?” he said.

“Sa dami kasi ng flip-flopping statements nila sa iba’t-ibang fora at venues, hindi na natin alam kung ano na ang totoo at hindi sa mga sinasabi nila at kung sino-sino sa kanila ang nagsasabi ng totoo at hindi (With the many flip-flopping statements they made in various fora and venues, we no longer know who among them is telling the truth, or which parts of their claims are true),” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Pag-Recant ng ‘Maleta Boys’ Nagdulot ng Marami Pang Tanong; Dapat Panagutin ang mga Nasa Likod ng Kalituhan

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