Tag: flood control

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Lacson: Measures Empowering Ombudsman Among Blue Ribbon’s Partial Recommendations on Flood Control Mess

Proposed legislation to strengthen the fight against corruption by empowering the Office of the Ombudsman will be among the partial recommendations of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee following its investigation into the flood control scandal, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Thursday.

Lacson said these include allowing the undermanned Office of the Ombudsman to deputize private lawyers as prosecutors, and giving it a law enforcement arm to apply for search warrants and follow up the investigation of corruption-related cases.

“One recommendation is based on the suggestion of former Senate President Franklin Drilon to allow the Ombudsman to deputize private lawyers to help in prosecuting cases, because the Office of the Ombudsman is very undermanned. If we allow it to deputize private lawyers to act as prosecutors by way of legislation, that would be a good measure,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: Mga Panukalang Magpapalakas sa Ombudsman Kabilang sa Bahagyang Rekomendasyon ng Blue Ribbon sa Isyu ng Flood Control

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Lacson to DPWH: Prepare to Deal with ‘Unwilling’ Contractors

Amid the reforms put in place for this year’s budget, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) must prepare to deal with contractors who are not willing to participate in the bidding of projects due to lower costs of construction materials, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson said this is especially true for contractors used to huge profits because of their early advances to some legislators and DPWH and other officials, after the National Expenditure Program (NEP) was finalized.

“The DPWH should anticipate how to deal with contractors ‘unwilling’ to participate in the bidding of projects due to reduced cost of construction materials. Their early advances to legislators after the NEP was finalized will not help obviate a looming infrastructure crisis,” he said on his X account.

In Filipino: Lacson sa DPWH: Humanda sa Mga ‘Magmamatigas’ na Kontratista

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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 to Detractors: Evidence, Not Noise, to Convict Those Behind Flood Control Mess

Evidence, and not noise, will indict and convict those involved in the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed Monday.

At the resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing into the issue, Lacson tore into “skeptics, detractors, and hijackers” for twisting public anger to divide the nation.

“Your noise will not silence the truth; neither does it provide any help in our investigation. Your noise cannot convict – and won’t even indict the malefactors in this flood control mess. Only evidence does,” he said.

“With all that being said – as the Chairman of this committee – I say to you: Shut the f… up!” Lacson said, referring to detractors of the committee’s work.

In Filipino: Lacson, Binalikan ang mga Nanggugulo: Ebidensiya, Hindi Ingay, ang Magpapakulong sa mga May Sala sa Flood Control Issue

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Opening Statement at the Blue Ribbon Committee Hearing

We reconvene today for the eighth public hearing on the motu proprio inquiry in aid of legislation and investigation into the flood control anomaly, even as we are already finalizing the partial committee report to be routed to your offices as early as next week.

Contrary to the lies and obfuscations that naysayers are trying to spread around, your Blue Ribbon Committee has accomplished so much since the flood control scandal broke wide open in the middle of last year. Since then, waves of information have dominated the national discourse — at every level of our society, local and national.

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