In his interpellation of the DILG’s proposed P244.309B budget for 2021, Sen. Lacson sought to restore the Quick Response Funds for the PNP and BFP, whose personnel have been frontliners even at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sen. Lacson also proposed possible amendments to the PNP Law to raise entry-level salaries particularly for its lawyers, doctors and chemists.
MORE DETAILS:
Continue reading “Restoring Quick Response Fund for PNP, BFP Frontliners in 2021 Budget”
Sen. Lacson chaired the Senate hearing on red-tagging and red-baiting, as chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation.
MORE DETAILS:
Continue reading “Senate Committee Hearing on ‘Red-Tagging’”
In an interview on Abante Radyo Tabloidista, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* ABS-CBN franchise [30:25]
* Fake news vs Anti-Terrorism Law [37:22]
* Cops accused of violating the law [16:07]
* Dealing with COVID at home [21:20]
* DOH issues in handling COVID pandemic [24:05]
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Mensahe sa ABS-CBN; Kritiko ng Anti-Terror Law; PNP; DOH”
In an interview on DWIZ, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* extension of ECQ/lockdown [0:19]
* need for discipline during ECQ [4:07]
* barangay officials’ problems [10:02]
* sayang ang National ID system [14:04]
* May 4 session resumption; options on legislative calendar [18:09]
* test period for DOH Sec Duque [22:40]
NOTES and QUOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: ECQ Extension; ‘Test Period’ for DOH Secretary Duque”
In his interpellation of the 2020 budget of the Department of Interior and Local Government (including the Philippine National Police), Sen. Lacson sought more resources for the PNP and greater capacity and for local government units. He promised to do his part to help.
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “Capacitating the Regions and the PNP: Interpellation of the DILG Budget for 2020”
“I just hope we won’t have any more reenacted budget. As we all know by now, it is the economy that is suffering. Having said that, I have some issues and concerns that need to be clarified. If the sponsor is willing to accommodate just a few points I’d like to raise.” – Sen. Lacson’s opening statement at his interpellation (general principles) on the proposed 2020 budget.
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “Interpellation on the General Principles of the P4.1-Trillion Proposed 2020 Budget”
In an interview, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– potentially problematic items in the 2020 budget
– P20B lump sum in the proposed budget
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: ‘Pork’ na Parked Funds sa 2020 Budget? | Nov. 4, 2019”
Sen. Lacson chaired the hearings for the budgets of the Commission on Human Rights and the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office for 2020. He heads the Senate finance subcommittee tackling the budgets of the two agencies.
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “Sen. Lacson Chairs the 2020 Budget Hearings for the CHR and PLLO”
In an interview on ANC, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– passage of the 2019 national budget
– allegations of graft vs DBM Sec Diokno and calls for him to resign
– compensation for landowners affected by DPWH right-of-way projects
– Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “Interview on ANC | Jan. 21, 2019”
Mr. President, I’m not interpellating on the budget of the Offce of the President. This is just a very quick manifestation and I’d like to take advantage of the presence of Executive Secretary Medialdea. I would like to issue an appeal to him not to endorse the anticipated recommendation of Secretary of DBM Ben Diokno to call for a special session.
Because looking at the schedule, Mr. President, after this agency, the Office of the President, we still have to tackle some big ones. Department of Tourism, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Justice – at least the Bureau of Immigration, Commission on Audit, Comelec, Ombudsman, DOH, DND, DILG. And even if the President calls for a special session, even if we extend our session for another five days, for another week, it is impossible, Mr. President, for us to enact the budget bill before the year ends.
So I’d like to again reiterate of course with the concurrence of this body, I’d like to make that appeal. Quoting Jesus Christ: ‘the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak,’ Mr. President.
Thank you Mr. President, and may we have the commitment of the Executive Secretary… that he will not endorse and he will block, as a matter of fact, Mr. President?
****
Some P16 billion in “pork” lump sums will now be available for “urgent” items in the proposed P3.7-trillion budget for 2019, after Sen. Lacson moved for this Tuesday evening.
At least P9 billion in “pork” lump sums will now be available for “urgent” items in the proposed P3.7-trillion budget for 2019, after Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson moved for this Tuesday evening.
The P9 billion represents the increase in the Assistance to Local Government Unit (ALGU), after the proposed national budget went through the House of Representatives.
“Yung P9 billion, baka pwede ma-realign natin to other items in the budget,” Lacson said during his interpellation of the budget of the Department of Interior and Local Government for the coming year.
He pointed out the DILG did not propose the additional P9 billion for the ALGU, nor had a role in evaluating it. Continue reading “Lacson: P9 Billion in ‘Pork’ Lump Sum Now Available for Urgent Items in 2019 Budget”
In his continuing interpellation of the 2019 budget’s general principles, Sen. Lacson questioned the possible pork in the Assistance to LGUs Fund.
Related: At a Glance: ‘Pork’ in the Assistance to LGUs (ALGU) Fund
Quotes from the interpellation… Continue reading “Interpellation of the 2019 national budget: Possible ‘pork’ in ALGU fund”
At the Senate hearing on the budget of the DILG for 2019, Sen. Lacson called for a stop to the shameful racket involving ‘overpriced’ fire extinguishers. He also said the DILG has a big role to play in ending the pork barrel system and the dole-out mentality.
In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– pork in the 2019 budget
– fate of ‘missing-in-action’ mayors in Ompong-hit areas
– Bato dela Rosa’s prospective entry into politics
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “#PingSays: Senators’ unity vs pork, ‘M-I-A’ mayors, Bato in politics | Sept. 19, 2018”
Mr. President, at the outset, let me state here and now: there is something unique in this piece of legislation. There are two most unlikely people in the world to become one and united in pushing for its immediate passage: Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, the principal author; and President Rodrigo Duterte, who personally conveyed through the Senate President, Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, and the chairman of the House Committee on Public Order, Rep. Romeo Acop, that I give priority in sponsoring this measure. For a moment Mr. President, I toyed with the idea to have this picture PhotoShopped parang magka-holding hands sila, pero baka pareho sila magalit at mademanda pa ako.
It may be worth mentioning that Congressman Acop agreed to adopt the Senate version once we approve it on third reading.
For these reasons and more, it may be enough to just go through the motion of having this bill approved on second reading the soonest possible time.
Related: At a Glance: Senate Bill 1898, Placing the Training of Police Recruits Under the PNP
Continue reading “Sponsorship Speech: Committee Report on Senate Bill 1898 (Transferring Police Recruits’ Training to PNP)”
Senate Bill 1869, which amends Section 28 of RA 6975, aims to eliminate public confusion on PNP terminologies and to bring the police force closer to the populace.
“Furthermore, this bill seeks to promote interoperability between police officers and equivalent military officers in the field, which in turn could enhance joint PNP-AFP internal security operations, counter-terrorism operation, and operations against threats to national security.”
From Panay News: Sen. Lacson said his information is based on the “spontaneous reaction of a friend who was being told he should cough up P400,000 for IDs that he was requesting for his staff and employees based and housed in Boracay.” Continue reading “New ‘Racket’ in Boracay: Local execs exploiting ‘no ID, no entry’ policy? [Panay News]”
“Trabaho ng DILG yan mag-counter-intelligence sila roon. Kung kinakailangan, magsagawa sila ng entrapment operation.” – Sen. Lacson on the reported ‘racket’ of some barangay officials asking hefty sums for non-residents’ IDs in Boracay
Related:
Ping exposes scam in Boracay ID issuance
Beautiful Boracay threatened by ‘ugly’ extortion
From Manila Bulletin: Lacson said he discovered that some local officials are asking P400,000 from businesses in exchange for IDs to non-local residents who are working in Boracay, now that there is a ‘no ID, no entry’ policy being enforced in the tourist spot. Continue reading “Lacson urges DILG to go after local officials taking advantage of closure order on Boracay [Manila Bulletin]”
In an interview on DZBB, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– challenges facing new PNP chief Albayalde and new BuCor chief dela Rosa
– criticisms vs anti-drug war from the US State Department and EU Parliament
– claims of ‘utang na loob’ and the Blue Ribbon report
– ‘extortion’ racket at Boracay
– update on National ID bill
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “Interview on DZBB | April 22, 2018”
In an interview on DZBB, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– Safeguards vs abuse in the law restoring subpoena powers to the CIDG (RA 10973)
– Claim by a UN rights official that President Duterte needs to undergo psychiatric evaluation
– Pursuing legal action vs CPP-NPA ‘terrorists’
– ICC’s principle of complementarity
– PRRD telling PNP not to cooperate with UN probe
– Calls by the DILG not to vote for barangay election candidates involved in drugs
Related: BATAS NA! Measure restoring subpoena powers to PNP-CIDG signed into law
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “Interview on DZBB | March 11, 2018”
Sen. Lacson, whose resolution for a review of RA 10121 (Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010) was one of the grounds of the hearing, stressed the need for a separate agency to focus on dealing with disasters.
“This is an opportune time (to review the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, because) the Philippines is third most risky in terms of disasters. It’s been eight years (since the law was passed). We have not reviewed (the law) as mandated under Republic Act 10121.”
“Even before I left the OPARR, ito ang naiwanan kong recommendation kay then President Aquino noon: It’s about time we created a separate agency even under the Office of the President para talagang may lead agency. Ngayon medyo sabog eh. Mahirap ang council-type na coordinative, tapos naka-integrate lang, puro monitoring ang mangyayari. There must be a separate lead agency who will take care and assume responsibility.”
Related:
Senate Resolution 10: Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act
Lacson pushes review of disaster management law to cope with ‘new normal’
Ping: i-upgrade na ang batas vs kalamidad
A sad day for Filipinos. I will always remember and be thankful to Sec. Jesse Robredo for personally albeit quietly helping me during my difficult time while in hiding.
Not known to all, he tried his level best to convince DOJ Sec. de Lima to comply with the Court of Appeals decision reversing the Manila Regional Trial Court’s probable cause ruling against me.
He was so real and natural as a person in dealing with people, close friends or not.
*****
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson on Wednesday moved to augment the budget of the Bureau of Immigration and the National Bureau of Investigation in an effort to boost its law enforcement assets and capabilities. Continue reading “Lacson Pushes for NBI, BI Budget Increase”
Bewailing that many of them have been denied the benefits they earned after years of duty, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson made a fresh appeal Tuesday for the release of funds for the pension of retired policemen and firefighters. Continue reading “Lacson to DILG: Account for P568.1-M for Non-Working ‘117’ Call Centers”
