Lacson: Blue Ribbon Door Not Closed to 18 ‘Ex-Marines,’ but Affidavits Must Reflect Reality

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is not closing its doors to the 18 “ex-Marines” who claimed delivering kickbacks to certain personalities – so long as their testimonies will reflect reality, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon panel Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday.

Lacson said that had the testimonies of the 18 fallen within the “realm of possibilities,” the Committee would have long invited them and listened to what they had to say.

“While the Blue Ribbon Committee’s doors are not closed to them, they just need to correct their statements so the hearing does not turn into a circus,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino, in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: Bukas pa ang Pinto ng Blue Ribbon sa 18 ‘Ex-Marines,’ Pero Kailangang Ilapit sa Katotohanan ang Kanilang Affidavit

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Lacson Calls Out Marcoleta’s ‘Fake’ Premises on Blue Ribbon Probe, Ethics ‘Complaint’

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Sunday called out the “fake” premises cited by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta regarding the Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into the flood control scandal, and an ethics complaint he has threatened to file against him.

Lacson said Marcoleta’s call to summon former Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin to the Blue Ribbon probe over alleged text messages with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was baseless, noting Bersamin was not mentioned in the committee’s records.

As for Marcoleta’s prospective ethics complaint over a supposed spliced video, Lacson said it was similarly unfounded.

“He’s been basing his statements and accusations on wrong premises. They’re all fake,” he said in English and Filipino, in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson, Tinuligsa ang Mga Pekeng Banat ni Marcoleta sa Blue Ribbon Probe at Bantang Ethics Complaint

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Lacson: We Are Not Surrendering Anything in Talks with Chinese Embassy on WPS

We are not surrendering anything — much less bowing to anyone — in any potential talks with the Chinese Embassy, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed Sunday.

Lacson emphasized that the prospective talks – which he suggested after Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan expressed willingness to talk with Philippine leaders to ease the word war on the issue – will focus not on contentious issues such as ownership of the disputed areas, but on establishing clear lines of communication between the two sides.

Also, Lacson lauded Sen. Erwin Tulfo for his own initiative to meet with embassy officials as the new Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, saying it is “a move in the right direction” and “commendable.” He said Sen. Tulfo may report to the all-senators’ caucus the result of his 11 a.m. meeting, as the caucus is scheduled at 1:30 p.m.

“Wala tayong sinusuko at di tayo yumuyuko. Gusto lang natin maiwasan ang maaanghang na palitan ng salita through social media. Mas maganda ang direktang pag-uusap (We are not surrendering anything and we are not bowing to anyone. We simply want to prevent misunderstanding and fiery exchanges on social media, by talking to each other directly),” Lacson said in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: Wala Tayong Isinusuko sa Pakikipagusap sa Chinese Embassy Tungkol sa WPS

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Lacson Backs Motion to Expunge ‘Give Up Kalayaan’ Remarks, Calls for Formal CA Motion

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson backed a move by Kalayaan town in Palawan to expunge from the records of the Commission on Appointments the remarks of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta suggesting that the Philippines “give up” the Kalayaan Island Group to China.

But Lacson said there should first be a formal motion to the effect addressed to Senate President Vicente Sotto III in his capacity as chairman of the Commission on Appointments (CA).

“A motion to strike off the records of the CA is needed. A letter addressed to CA Chairman Senate President Vicente Sotto III through the CA Defense Committee Chairman will serve as a strong basis for such a motion,” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson, Suportado ang Pagbura sa Talaan ng CA sa ‘I-Give Up’ na Pahayag sa Kalayaan; Nanawagan ng Pormal na Mosyon

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Lacson Calls Out Personal Attacks vs Pro-Philippine Officials on WPS Issue

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Sunday called out the use of “ad hominem” or personal attacks against officials and lawmakers who uphold a pro-Philippine stance on the territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea.

Lacson fired back at Rep. Paolo Henry Marcoleta, who suggested that a “Coast Guard spokesperson” and some “senators” be at the frontline or be used as cannon fodder if China declares war on the Philippines, after his father got flak for suggesting that we give up the Kalayaan Islands.

In a post on X, Lacson also said the younger Marcoleta should stick to the issue and visit Pag-Asa Island in the KIG, which is part of Palawan province, so he can get a firsthand look at the functioning Philippine local government there.

“The son also rises with his own ad hominem. Suggesting to use the PCG spokesman and some senators as cannon fodder if China declares war against the Philippines is uncalled for. He should visit Pag-Asa Island in KIG and see for himself the functioning local government there,” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson, Tinuligsa ang mga Personal na Pag-atake sa Isyu ng WPS

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