Tag: DND

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Ping Lacson: Torre Deserves to be Appointed as PNP Chief

P/Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III deserves to be appointed as the new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) due to his being decisive and mission-oriented, Senator-elect and former PNP Chief Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said late Thursday.

Lacson, who restored the PNP’s glory days when he headed it from 1999 to 2001, said the information he has received about Torre indicates he is a “decisive, firm and mission-oriented” official.

“From what I have heard and observed about him, he’s a decisive, firm and mission-oriented official, so he deserves to be appointed as chief of the PNP,” he said in Filipino in an interview on BNC.

In Filipino: Ping Lacson: ‘Dasurb’ si Torre na Maging PNP Chief

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Ping Lacson Pushes Three Solutions to Boost Disaster Response in PH

BAGUIO CITY – Former Senator and 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson pushed late Tuesday for a streamlined disaster response mechanism, an updated Building Code, and a national hazard mapping program to help us cope with the effects of earthquakes, floods, cyclones and other disasters.

Lacson, who also served as Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery, proposed to transfer the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) directly under the Office of the President.

“We should transfer the OCD from the Department of National Defense to the Office of the President. This will eliminate the usual bureaucratic red tape,” he said in Filipino at the “Konsultahang Bayan: A Caucus for Good Governance Beyond Elections” held at the Citylight Hotel here.

The forum was attended by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong along with experts and representatives from various sectors seeking good governance.

Related: Ping Lacson, Isinulong ang Tatlong Pampalakas ng Disaster Response sa Pilipinas

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On the Rumored Mass Resignation of DND Officials

First, the Philippine National Police already clarified last weekend the reason for its supposed heightened alert status – it was for another purpose, not related to any destabilization or the rumored “mass resignation” of DND officials which as it turned out is just that – rumor.

Department of National Defense OIC Jose Faustino Jr., newly designated AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino and newly retired Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro, along with two or three DND undersecretaries, all belong to PMA Class 1988. Even among PMA batchmates, sometimes there are dynamics due to personal associations and loyalties that cannot be avoided. There is information though that OIC and Senior DND Undersecretary Faustino mentioned to some close associates as early as last month that he will resign if Lt. Gen. Bacarro will be replaced. That could have probably triggered the rumored “mass resignation” in the DND.

That being said, the AFP is generally composed of professional officers and men whose loyalty to the flag and the Constitution is above and beyond their individual preferences.

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On the Appointment of Ret. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr.

Image Courtesy: CNN Philippines

Having capped his career as the AFP Chief of Staff easily qualifies Gen. Faustino as the next Secretary of National Defense in November, in consideration of the one-year ban on the appointment of newly retired AFP officers under RA 11709.

My objection to his appointment earlier as a 3-star general being the Commanding General of the Philippine Army had nothing to do with his competence but his disqualification due to the prohibition under Presidential Decree 1638, having less than one year before retirement.

Only the Chief of Staff, AFP is exempted from such ban.

I remember making a commitment to SND Lorenzana then that even if Faustino was on floating status and appointed Chief of Staff, I would not object to his confirmation as 4-star general and even move for his confirmation in the Commission on Appointments as a member of the Senate panel, which I did.

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Batas na Tutuldukan ang ‘Revolving-Door Policy’ ng AFP, Isa sa Mga Legacy ni Ping sa AFP, DND

Sen. Ping Lacson upholds professionalism in the AFP.

Ang bagong batas na nagtatakda ng “fixed terms” para sa Chief of Staff at ibang matataas na opisyal ng Armed Forces of the Philippines ay isa sa mga legacy ni Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson sa ating military at defense establishment.

Isninulong ni Lacson noong Setyembre bilang chairman ng Senate Committee on National Defense and Security ang Senate Bill 2376, na kasama ang House Bill 10521 ay naging basehan ng Republic Act 11709 na pinirmahan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.

“Finally, we will see an end to the revolving-door policy in the AFP. The leaders of our AFP will have the opportunity to implement their legacy programs instead of staying in office too briefly,” ani Lacson, na nagsilbi sa Philippine Constabulary ng 20 taon matapos mag-graduate sa Philippine Military Academy noong 1971.

Related: Law Ending ‘Revolving-Door Policy’ Caps Lacson Legacies to AFP, DND
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