On the DBM Chief’s Possible Recommendation for a Special Session on the 2019 Budget

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?

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#PingSays: On the situation of Sen. Trillanes | Sept. 5, 2018

Quotes from the interview…  Continue reading “#PingSays: On the situation of Sen. Trillanes | Sept. 5, 2018”

Confirmation Hearings for Officials of the DFA, DAR, Comelec, and DOJ

On May 29 and 30, 2018, Sen. Lacson took part in the Commission on Appointments’ confirmation hearings for nominees to the Foreign Service, DAR, Comelec, and DOJ. They included:

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Sulpicio Confiado, ambassador to Egypt; and Akmad Sakkam, ambassador to Jordan

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John Castriciones, DAR Secretary

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Socorro Balinghasay-Inting, Comelec Commissioner

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Menardo Guevarra, DOJ Secretary

#PingSays: On fate of DOJ Sec. Aguirre, Senate relocation, peace efforts with CPP-NPA-NDF | April 4, 2018

In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– Senate relocation
– fate of DOJ Sec. Aguirre
– SC order on deaths related to anti-drug war
– peace efforts with CPP-NPA-NDF

Quotes from the interview…  Continue reading “#PingSays: On fate of DOJ Sec. Aguirre, Senate relocation, peace efforts with CPP-NPA-NDF | April 4, 2018”

#PingSays: On Napoles’ tell-all claims, anti-drug cases | March 21, 2018

In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– the claim of Janet Napoles to tell all
– actions on recent anti-drug cases

Quotes from the interview…  Continue reading “#PingSays: On Napoles’ tell-all claims, anti-drug cases | March 21, 2018”