Tag: DFA

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Lacson: China’s Depiction of Filipinos as ‘Monkeys’ Reflects on Its Character

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson condemned China’s depiction of Filipinos as monkeys in an AI-generated video, saying the racist portrayal reflects more on China’s character than on the Filipino people.

“Kung unggoy ang turing nila sa mga Pilipino, ano sila kung pag-uugali at karakter ang batayan (If China considers Filipinos as monkeys, then what does it say about its character)?” he said.

China Daily, a state-run media outlet, published the AI-generated video concerning the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award – among other content belittling the Philippines and the Arbitral Award.

In Filipino: Lacson sa China: Kung Unggoy ang Turing Nila sa mga Pilipino, Ano Sila?

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Lacson Thankful For Return of 24 Filipinos Detained in Russia

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson expressed gratitude Sunday over the return of 24 Filipinos who were detained in Russia for nine months after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally raised their case with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Lacson said the freedom granted to the 24 Filipinos – who returned in two batches on late Saturday and early Sunday – is one of the most significant achievements of the President’s recent visit to Russia.

“24 souls, 24 families – most of all, 24 Filipinos who would still be languishing in an eastern Siberia jail, probably for the rest of their lives – one of the biggest achievements of the president’s visit to Russia that almost escaped public notice and appreciation. Thank you!” Lacson said on X.

In Filipino: Lacson, Nagpasalamat sa Pagbabalik ng 24 na Pilipinong Nakulong sa Russia

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Lacson Scores Marcoleta’s Ego-Driven Actions at CA Hearing

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Thursday scored the ego-driven actions of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta during Wednesday’s Commission on Appointments (CA) hearing on the confirmation of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officers and foreign service officers.

Lacson called out Marcoleta’s objecting to his manifestation for the prompt confirmation of the AFP and foreign service officers’ promotions – and agreeing to withdraw his objection, if Lacson would also withdraw his manifestation.

“Gusto niya, hindi raw siya mag-object, basta i-withdraw ko rin ang manifestation (ko). Ano siya, hilo? Ang gusto niya, ego yan eh. Para naman pakita niya na in-admit ko mali ang aking manifestation. Pinag-withdraw niya ako. Sabi ko, ano siya hilo? Di ko gagawin yan, ego lang yan. Hindi ako mag-play sa ego niya (He said he would not object so long as I withdraw my manifestation. Is he nuts? What he wants is to feed his ego, to make me admit that my manifestation was wrong. So is he nuts? I refused to accommodate him all for his ego. I’m not playing to his ego),” he said in an interview on DZBB radio.

“Kilala naman natin siya. Basta maipilit ang kanya, yan ang tama. Ayaw niya makinig ng explanation, ayaw niya makinig ng reason (We know him. He wants to insist that he is right, and he does not want to hear any explanation or listen to reason),” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Binoljak si Marcoleta Dahil sa Ego-Driven na Galaw sa Pagdinig ng CA

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Lacson Takes Up Cudgels for AFP Officers Affected by Senate Leadership Row

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Wednesday took up the cudgels for Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officers whose promotions awaiting confirmation by the Commission on Appointments (CA) were delayed by the Senate leadership row that started last May.

Lacson refuted the claim of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta that the affected AFP officers were considered bypassed because they fell short of the one-year ban, or one year before they reached retirement age.

“Just for clarity, I believe and I was told by the Secretary of the Commission on Appointments that the ad interim appointments of these fine gentlemen and lady is a mere resubmission of their previous ad interim appointments given before the May 25, 2026 resumption of the first regular session. And since this is a special session, it is a continuation of the first regular session,” Lacson said at the hearing of the CA defense committee.

“Therefore, hindi pa sila pasok sa one-year ban kasi hindi naman po nila kasalanan na nagkagulo-gulo kami sa Senado at hindi na-take up ang kanilang confirmation (Therefore, they are not covered by the one-year ban because it is not their fault that there was a leadership row in the Senate that prevented their confirmation from being taken up earlier),” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Ipinagtanggol ang mga Opisyal ng AFP na Naapektuhan ng Alitan sa Pamunuan ng Senado

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Lacson: New Senate Leadership to Address Plight of 29 AFP, 86 Foreign Service Officers Whose Confirmations were Delayed

Resolving the plight of 29 Armed Forces of the Philippines generals as well as 86 foreign service officers whose confirmations were stalled due to the recently ended Senate leadership gridlock will be one of the priorities of the new Senate leadership, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said late Wednesday.

Lacson said the leadership under Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian is exploring various measures, including asking Malacanang for an ad interim appointment for the affected officers, and a special session to let the Commission on Appointments confirm these.

“Naaawa kami una sa nakabinbin na confirmation na AFP officers. Kawawa sila kasi ang kanilang nomination was made when Congress was in session. Kanina lang kami nag adjourn sine die (We sympathize with the stalled confirmation of the AFP officers whose nominations were made when Congress was still in session; we just adjourned sine die this afternoon),” he said.

“Alang alang sa magigiting nating opisyal, hihiling kami sa pangulo kung pwedeng tumawag ng special session para ma-convene ang CA (For our fine officers, we will ask the President for a special session to convene the CA so their plight will be addressed),” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Bagong Liderato ng Senado, Tututukan ang Kalagayan ng 29 AFP, 86 Foreign Service Officers na Naantala ang Kanilang Confirmations

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