Tag: flood control

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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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Lacson: Ex-DPWH Chief Deliberately Fed Fake Ghost Flood Control Project Data to Malacañang

Ex-Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan deliberately fed false data to Malacañang regarding ghost flood control projects, possibly to throw off the investigation into the matter, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson bared Wednesday.

Lacson cited “very reliable information” reaching him showing the data led to incorrect grid coordinates of thousands of flood control projects nationwide.

“I received reliable information that former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan deliberately submitted to Malacañang incorrect grid coordinates of thousands of flood control projects all over the country, which formed part of the Sumbong sa Pangulo website. This resulted in grossly inaccurate data involving some 421 ghost projects on previously inspected flood control projects earlier reported to the public by the said department and which they are now trying to rectify by comparing the records in their multi-year planning and scheduling or MYPS, Project and Contract Management Application or PCMA, and other related documents that remain intact and in the possession of the Department,” he said at the Kapihan sa Senado forum.

“Even if he insists he is not a principal player, we can very clearly see his complicity in covering up the crime,” he added, in a mix of English and Filipino.

In Filipino: Lacson: Sadyang Minali ni Ex-DPWH Sec. Bonoan sa Malacañang ang Datos ng mga Ghost Flood Control Projects

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Lacson Bill Arms AMLC to Counter Evolving Corruption Schemes

The complex financial crimes exposed in the investigation into the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects have prompted Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson to file a bill further strengthening the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

Senate Bill 1557, which Lacson filed on Wednesday, gives the AMLC additional powers while widening the scope of covered persons and updating the list of predicate offenses to money laundering.

“Recent corruption issues have highlighted the complexities of financial crimes. Updating the AMLA to meet the requirements of the times would also prevent us from being placed in the FATF Greylist again,” Lacson said in his bill, noting that the Philippines will be subjected to the FATF’s fifth round of global mutual evaluations in 2027.

In Filipino: Panukalang Batas ni Lacson, Dadagdagan ang Ngipin ng AMLC vs Korapsyon

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Lacson: Background Check on ‘Totally Surprise Witness’ Guteza Needed

A full record check and background investigation (RCBI) on “surprise witness” Orly Regala Guteza will be needed due to the gravity of his testimony at Thursday’s Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, Senate President Pro Tempore and Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday.

Lacson noted that Guteza, who claims to be a former Marine and ex-security consultant of Rep. Elizaldy Co, was presented before the committee Thursday without even the courtesy of notice.

Further complicating matters was that the lawyer whose signature and notarial details appeared in Guteza’s affidavit denied notarizing or preparing the document.

“Without the courtesy of notice even to the committee chairman, a totally surprise witness in yesterday’s Blue Ribbon hearing, a complete record check and background investigation on Orly Regala Guteza is in order owing to the gravity and seriousness of his testimony yesterday,” Lacson said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Kailangan ang Background Check sa ‘Totally Surprise Witness’ na si Guteza

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