Tag: DZMM

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Lacson: Flood Control Probe Can’t be ‘Blocked’ because Public Won’t Forget

Efforts to keep the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s findings on the flood control scandal from reaching the public will fail because the public won’t forget the issue, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson said this is why he has scheduled a privilege speech next week to present his Chairman’s Progress Report – after the panel’s partial report still could not get enough signatures to reach the plenary.

“Our people are angry and will not forget the issue. It will take decades before the issue is gone from the public’s memory. I called the flood control scandal ‘Napoles 2’ but this is much worse and it’s no laughing matter,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

“As Blue Ribbon Chairman I owe it to the Filipino people to update them on what happened after seven to eight hearings. This is because many are not updated and especially because there are false narratives being spread that we are covering up for some persons and targeting others. And another compelling reason is that the partial committee report’s contents have been overtaken by events,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Tangkang ‘Harangin’ ang Imbestigasyon sa Flood Control Mabibigo Dahil Hindi Ito Malilimutan ng Publiko

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Lacson Sees June Start for Possible VP Impeachment Trial

The Senate may convene as an impeachment court immediately after receiving the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, but the trial proper may not begin until June, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson said that while Senate President Vicente Sotto III wants to convene the impeachment court at once, at least three weeks may be needed for procedures such as the issuance of summons and reply, and a preliminary conference for purposes of stipulations and possible marking of evidence before the trial starts.

“Once the Articles of Impeachment are transmitted to us, if we follow the processes, we’re talking of at least three weeks before the actual trial starts,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: Maaaring sa Hunyo pa Magsimula ang Posibleng VP Impeachment Trial

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Lacson Proposes Practical Schedule to Balance Senate Work and Impeachment Trial

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Friday proposed a practical schedule to help the Senate balance its legislative work and the impeachment trial, should the House transmit to it the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Under Lacson’s proposal, impeachment proceedings would be held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting at 3 p.m., while sessions would be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“Ang suggestion ko, gawin natin ang impeachment trial MWF, 3 p.m. up. Tapos ang TTH, gawin nating meron tayong session. Para lahat ng umaga libre tayo sa committee hearings para hindi ma-imperil ang legislative work sa Senate (I suggested to the Senate President that we hold the impeachment trial on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 3 p.m. onwards. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we can hold sessions. The mornings can be used for committee hearings so the Senate’s legislative work will not be imperiled),” he said in an interview on DZMM radio.

In Filipino: Lacson Nagmungkahi ng Praktikal na Iskedyul para Mabalanse ang Gawain ng Senado at Impeachment Trial

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Lacson Plans to Invite Co, Ex-Soldiers to Next Blue Ribbon Hearing

Once its partial committee report on the flood control scandal is formally filed, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee may invite to its next hearing captured former Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co – along with Orly Guteza and the former soldiers who claimed to have delivered P805 billion in alleged kickbacks from anomalous flood projects to various personalities on Co’s orders.

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon panel Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday that the testimonies of Guteza and the ex-soldiers are “interconnected” with Co.

“Once Co is in the Philippines and the court allows it, I plan to have him attend the hearing along with Guteza and the ex-soldiers so we will find out who is truthful, who is telling half-truths, and who is lying,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

In Filipino: Lacson Plano Imbitahan si Co, Mga Ex-Sundalo sa Susunod na Blue Ribbon Hearing

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Lacson Probes DPWH Infra Project List ‘Requested’ by CA Panel Member for Bonoan Confirmation

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is investigating a list of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control and other infrastructure projects reportedly “requested” by a Commission on Appointments panel member in exchange for the confirmation of then DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan in late 2022.

Lacson said Saturday that the information surfaced while he and his staff continue to inspect suspected anomalous flood control projects in other parts of the country.

“We received information that during a CA hearing for Bonoan’s confirmation as DPWH secretary, the confirmation process was used for such a transaction,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM, citing information from former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.

In Filipino: Lacson Iniimbestigahan ang Listahan ng DPWH Infra Projects na ‘Hiningi’ ng CA Panel Member para sa Bonoan Confirmation

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