Tag: flood control projects

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Lacson: Former Governor Singson Offers to Testify on Flood Control Mess

Former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson has offered to testify before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson said he has tentatively scheduled the next hearing of the Blue Ribbon panel on April 14, but added this could be held “much earlier.”

“He sent a letter, he indicated he wanted to testify. Sabi ko yes if you are testifying on flood control projects, we will schedule a hearing. Tentatively we scheduled it for April 14. but if we can hold it much earlier, why not?” Lacson said in an interview.

In Filipino: Lacson: Dating Gobernador Singson, Nag-Alok na Magpatestigo sa Flood Control Issue

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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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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 Defends Blue Ribbon Committee’s Institutional Processes Against Marcoleta’s ‘Pagbibida-Bida’

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday defended the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s institutional processes against the “pagbibida-bida” (know-it-all actions) of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on the committee’s investigation into the flood control scandal.

In a privilege speech, Lacson, who chairs the Blue Ribbon Committee, refuted what he called Marcoleta’s “tirades and prevarications in and out of the Senate” targeting him.

“Much as I would like to abide by what my elders had taught me that “silence is the best response to nonsense,” I am constrained to take the floor to set the record straight and correct the prevarications spewed on this very floor by one of our colleagues, namely Senator Rodante Marcoleta,” he said.

“Like on many past occasions, I could have effortlessly dismissed Senator Marcoleta’s statements, as I refuse to dignify his ego-driven provocations. But when the attacks shift from professional to obsessively personal, I must shut the whole political circus down – firmly, completely, and without ambiguity,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Binoljak si Marcoleta sa Pagbibida-Bida sa Blue Ribbon Probe

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Lacson Feels Cost of Fighting Corruption – Again

Standing against corruption often comes at a high personal and political cost, and Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is experiencing this once more amid the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into the flood control scandal.

Lacson said his chairmanship of the Blue Ribbon Committee, which is looking into the issue, has cost him friends and earned him new enemies, like in 2003 when he pushed for the abolition of the pork barrel system.

But he maintained he will continue to fulfill his duty and follow the evidence, regardless of who gets hurt.

“Déjà vu. When I took the chairmanship of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, I knew I could lose some friends and create new enemies. I had exactly the same feeling when I delivered my ‘Living Without Pork’ privilege speech in March 2003,” he said on X Saturday.

In Filipino: Lacson, Ramdam Muli ang Kapalit ng Pagsusulong ng Laban sa Katiwalian

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