Tag: DOJ

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Lacson Pained Over Fate of Some Colleagues in Flood Control Mess, but Evidence Has Spoken

While seeing the fate that befell some of his colleagues in the flood control project scandal is painful, the evidence has spoken, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, maintained that the investigation into the issue must be fair and follow where the evidence leads, and not target or cover up for anyone.

“It is not a pleasant thing to see some of our colleagues face charges or jail due to the flood control scandal. But painful as it is, I have always maintained that we will go where the evidence leads us. We will not force ourselves to look for evidence that will target certain people including our colleagues in the Senate,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

“It is painful for me particularly, and for other senators who participate in the hearings. But we cannot do anything about it. If we will investigate mainly in aid of legislation just to cover up for some people, we might as well not investigate at all,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Masakit ang Makitang Sinapit ng Ilang Kasamahan sa Flood Control Mess, Ngunit Nagsalita Na ang Ebidensya

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Lacson: ICI Commissioner Fajardo’s Resignation Stresses Urgency to Pass IPC Measure

The resignation of Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Commissioner Rossana Fajardo further stresses the urgency to pass a measure creating an Independent People’s Commission (IPC) that will succeed and institutionalize the ICI, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said over the weekend.

Lacson said that while the ICI has been very helpful in gathering information that may lead to the prosecution and arrest of those involved in anomalous flood control projects, it is still an ad hoc body and is not permanent.

“The bill creating the IPC must be passed to institutionalize the function of the ICI and make it part of the law of the land. The ICI is an ad hoc body and is not permanent; it needs a mandate,” he said in Filipino and English in an interview on DWIZ radio late Saturday.

In Filipino: Lacson, Iginiit ang Pagmamadaling Maipasa ang Panukalang IPC Matapos ang Pagbibitiw ni ICI Commissioner Fajardo

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Lacson: Gov’t Must Not Waver in War vs Infrastructure Corruption

The government must not waver in its enthusiasm to fight the corruption behind anomalous infrastructure projects – including through a proposed Independent People’s Commission (IPC) as a potential successor to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Monday.

Lacson said the ICI, despite its limited powers, has managed to flush out useful information and complement the Ombudsman and Department of Justice in building solid cases against those responsible.

“I wonder why Malacanang’s enthusiasm is lost all of a sudden. I still believe that the ICI is serving its purpose in flushing out useful information, to say the least, for the Ombudsman and DOJ to proceed with their preliminary investigation and come up with solid cases against those responsible in the plunder of public funds,” he said.

“This, even when Congress has taken positive steps to follow the lead of the President in getting to the bottom of the unprecedented infrastructure anomalies never unearthed before by any of the past administrations,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Hindi Dapat Manghina ang Gobyerno sa Laban vs Korapsyon sa Inprastraktura

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Lacson Rejects Military-Backed ‘Reset,’ Junta Amid Corruption Scandal

Public outrage over the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects must continue, but not at the expense of the Constitution, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson said recent proposals such as a so-called “transition council” and a supposed military-backed “reset” are all unconstitutional, and those behind them might as well “dream on.”

“I hope such military-backed intervention would not happen because nothing good can come out of it,” Lacson, who said Saturday that the public must stay angry but not violent, said in a mix of Filipino and English in an interview on DZBB radio.

“There are so many people with active imaginations. During times of crisis like this, we cannot blame them for thinking up extra-legal and unconstitutional ways, perhaps in their passion to change the system because they saw how systemic corruption has become,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Tinabla ang Panawagang Military-Backed “Reset” o “Junta” Dulot ng Iskandalo sa Katiwalian

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Lacson: Public Must Stay ‘Angry’ But Not Violent, to Keep Pressure on Govt vs Corruption

The issuance of arrest warrants against ex-Rep. Elizaldy Co and several others tied to anomalous flood control projects shows the government means business in addressing the issue, but the public must remain angry without being violent to ensure such efforts continue, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson said authorities – particularly Malacanang, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice – cannot afford to ease up because those involved would be emboldened to try again if they get away with their actions now.

“I don’t want public outrage to lessen, so long as people remain non-violent. If public anger diminishes, government might slacken their efforts. As of now, they are working because of the pressure from our people. But this is so long as the outrage does not turn violent, like the Sept. 21 protest where some protesters damaged some traffic lights,” he said in Filipino in an interview on DWIZ radio.

“No matter how many, no matter how long it takes, get to the bottom to achieve the logical conclusion,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Dapat Manatiling ‘Galit’ Pero Hindi Marahas ang Publiko para Patuloy ang Laban ng Gobyerno vs Korapsyon

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