Tag: corruption

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Lacson: Eradicating Corruption Key to Upgrading Defense Capability, Especially in WPS

Eradicating corruption is crucial for the Philippines to rise as an economic power like Japan, and to strengthen its military and defense capabilities including in the West Philippine Sea, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson cited Japan’s recent move to seize a Chinese fishing vessel and arrest its skipper off southern Japan – months after Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae hinted Japan may intervene militarily should China try to forcibly take Taiwan.

“Wow Japan! If only the Philippines can eradicate corruption, so we may become an economic power, then we can upgrade our military capability – ergo, we are no longer a pushover country,” Lacson said on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Pagpuksa sa Katiwalian, Susi sa Pagpapalakas ng Defense Capability, Lalo na sa WPS

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Lacson Presents Deterrent for Corrupt BIR Collectors as He Pushes Reform Mode in Govt

Before thinking of engaging in corruption, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) officials should imagine themselves wearing yellow uniforms, having just P100 for their daily meals, and co-mingling with other Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in jail.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed this Tuesday as he prodded the BIR and other government agencies to go into “reform mode.”

“I hope you can re-echo this to your personnel in the field. That’s a very good deterrent. Visualize someone wearing a yellow uniform co-mingled with Persons Deprived of Liberty. If you think of engaging in corruption, just imagine that and you will hold back,” Lacson told BIR officials who attended the Blue Ribbon Committee’s hearing on alleged corrupt practices in the agency, in a mix of English and Filipino.

“If you think of engaging in foolishness, think not just twice or thrice. Think at least 10 times,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson Naglatag ng Pampigil sa Tiwaling BIR Collectors, Sabay Tulak ang ‘Reform Mode’ sa Pamahalaan

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Lacson: President’s Orders to Pay Performing Contractors, Monitor Projects to Help Avert Infra Crisis

The orders of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to promptly pay performing contractors and to regularly monitor projects will help avert a looming infrastructure crisis, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson said these should help address the risk posed by the reluctance if not refusal of many contractors to participate in biddings for Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects.

“Spot on. Amidst reluctance, even refusal of many contractors to participate in public biddings for the DPWH infrastructure projects, the President’s order to facilitate the payment of outstanding obligations to contractors who delivered on their contracted government projects will help prevent a looming infrastructure crisis brought about by the ongoing reforms in the DPWH in the proper utilization of the national budget,” he said of the President’s order to promptly pay “good” contractors.

In Filipino: Lacson: Utos ng Pangulo na Bayaran ang Matinong Kontratista at Bantayan ang mga Proyekto, Makakatulong na Maiwasan ang Krisis sa Imprastraktura

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Lacson on Flood Control ‘Minority Report’: Respect Begets Respect

“How will I respect a document that symbolizes disrespect towards the Blue Ribbon Committee and the entire Senate?”

Senate President Pro Tempore and Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson thus scored the so-called “minority report” on the flood control scandal, as he stressed that there is only one Blue Ribbon Committee that is investigating the issue.

Lacson said that under the Rules of the Senate, a committee report can be reported out only by the Blue Ribbon Committee, and after it is signed by majority of the committee’s members – not by just six of nine members of the minority bloc.

“Respect begets respect. How will I as Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee treat with respect a document that symbolizes disrespect toward the Blue Ribbon Committee and the entire Senate both of which they are members?” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM.

“So there is no other place for that ‘minority report’ but the trash bin,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson sa Flood Control ‘Minority Report’: Respect Begets Respect

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Lacson to Detractors: Evidence, Not Noise, to Convict Those Behind Flood Control Mess

Evidence, and not noise, will indict and convict those involved in the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed Monday.

At the resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing into the issue, Lacson tore into “skeptics, detractors, and hijackers” for twisting public anger to divide the nation.

“Your noise will not silence the truth; neither does it provide any help in our investigation. Your noise cannot convict – and won’t even indict the malefactors in this flood control mess. Only evidence does,” he said.

“With all that being said – as the Chairman of this committee – I say to you: Shut the f… up!” Lacson said, referring to detractors of the committee’s work.

In Filipino: Lacson, Binalikan ang mga Nanggugulo: Ebidensiya, Hindi Ingay, ang Magpapakulong sa mga May Sala sa Flood Control Issue

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