Tag: former President Noynoy Aquino

Posted on

Ping Lacson Visits Romblon, Assures Help for Economic Growth

ROMBLON – Former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Wednesday visited Romblon, where he assured residents of help to boost the province’s economic growth, including tourism.

Lacson met with the province’s residents as well as local officials led by Governor Jose Riano, Vice Governor Armando Gutierrez, and Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona.

“Romblon was the 10th fastest growing economy among the country’s provinces in 2023. I believe we can accelerate Romblon’s growth into a first-class province if we boost the tourism sector,” he told local officials and residents in Filipino, during a brief meeting.

Related: Ping Lacson Bumisita sa Romblon, Tutulong na Palaguin ang Ekonomiya Nito

Continue reading “Ping Lacson Visits Romblon, Assures Help for Economic Growth”

Posted on

The Saga of Mary Jane Veloso

Image credit: CTTO

The saga of Mary Jane Veloso may not have ended yet but worth mentioning are the efforts of two Philippine presidents to save her from being executed in a foreign land. PNoy succeeded in temporarily staying her execution. PBBM not only convinced Indonesia to have her death sentence commuted to life imprisonment but he is bringing her back home to serve her sentence here.

We are not privy to the terms of the agreement but we can only hope it includes the discretion to grant Mary Jane a presidential pardon or at least her early release from confinement based on good conduct time allowance (GCTA) as provided under RA 10592.

Let us not also forget those who worked behind the scene – the DFA officials and others tasked to make it happen. Looking back, she was used as a “drug mule” by a drug syndicate whose members may still be recruiting other Mary Jane Velosos who are driven by poverty and ignorance.

Posted on

Ping: PNP Protektahan Dapat ang Mamamayan, Hindi Armasan

Bago pa man ikonsidera ang pag-aarmas sa mga civilian “volunteers” para maawat ang paglaganap ng krimen, dapat ipakita muna ng Philippine National Police (PNP) na kaya nitong protektahan ang publiko, ayon kay Senador Panfilo Lacson.

Ayon kay Lacson na namuno sa PNP taong 1999 hanggang 2001, dapat maging mas mahigpit ang PNP sa pag-isyu ng Permits to Carry Firearms Outside Residences (PTCFORs) sa mga sibliyan kabilang na ang mga senador, kongresman at iba pang matataas na opisyal ng pamahalaan.

“The PNP should make it a point first to show that it is efficient, professional, and competent to protect civilians on the streets from malefactors – including those with unlicensed guns and irresponsible gun holders that make them a threat – before it issues PTCFORs to deputize civilian ‘volunteers’ as force multipliers,” paliwanag ni Lacson sa panayam ng Teleradyo.

“Otherwise, the public would wonder if the PNP is that helpless to ask for help from civilians,” dagdag ng mambabatas. “Besides, we do not want guns to end up with those prone to road rage and similar incidents.”

Read in ENGLISH: Lacson: PNP Should Serve and Protect Our Citizens, Not Arm Them
Continue reading “Ping: PNP Protektahan Dapat ang Mamamayan, Hindi Armasan”

Posted on

Lacson: PNP Should Serve and Protect Our Citizens, Not Arm Them

Before entertaining thoughts of arming civilian “volunteers” to help stop criminality, the Philippine National Police (PNP) should focus on showing it can protect them, Senator and former PNP Chief Panfilo M. Lacson said.

Lacson also reiterated the PNP must be stricter especially in issuing Permits to Carry Firearms Outside Residences (PTCFORs) to civilians including senators, congressmen and other ranking government officials.

“The PNP should make it a point first to show that it is efficient, professional, and competent to protect civilians on the streets from malefactors – including those with unlicensed guns and irresponsible gun holders that make them a threat – before it issues PTCFORs to deputize civilian ‘volunteers’ as force multipliers,” Lacson, who headed the PNP from 1999 to 2001, said in an interview on TeleRadyo.

“Otherwise, the public would wonder if the PNP is that helpless to ask for help from civilians,” he added. “Besides, we do not want guns to end up with those prone to road rage and similar incidents.”

Basahin sa TAGALOG: Ping: PNP Protektahan Dapat ang Mamamayan, Hindi Armasan
Continue reading “Lacson: PNP Should Serve and Protect Our Citizens, Not Arm Them”

Posted on

On the Passing of Former President Benigno Aquino III

“Hearing the news of PNoy’s passing is heartbreaking. He served his country very well with humility, honor and integrity. It was a privilege to have served with him, both in the Senate and the Executive Department, but more than that, to be his friend.”