Tag: former President Joseph Estrada

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”

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”

The Outlier [Manila Standard]

From Lito Banayo’s column in the Manila Standard: Those who know the man enough also know that he would rather fight the good fight, regardless of the odds, a seeming Don Quixote jousting against the windmills of evil, fighting the unbeatable foe, regardless of public approbation or disapproval from peers—outlier if need be—just to be consistent with what upon his graduation from the Philippine Military Academy in the Class of 1971, he vowed: “What is right must be kept right; what is wrong must be set right.”

Continue reading “The Outlier [Manila Standard]”

From top cop to eagle eye [Manila Standard]

photo1008-001

From Lito Banayo’s columns in the Manila Standard: His stint as chief of the PNP was hailed by one and all, resulting in the police organization’s getting an all-time high trust rating. He stopped the everyday “kotong” which preyed on most everybody, from jeepney drivers to taxi drivers, to “viajeros” of food produce.

Continue reading “From top cop to eagle eye [Manila Standard]”

Haiyan: An Unforgettable Chapter in My Public Service Career [published in The Manila Times]

Sen. Lacson’s essay on Yolanda/Haiyan, as published in The Manila Times in 2018: “In sum, Haiyan is one chapter in my public service career I will never forget — extremely difficult, many times frustrating, yet satisfying only because I worked with very competent staff and consultants who didn’t mind the limitations imposed by our own government in all aspects.”  Continue reading “Haiyan: An Unforgettable Chapter in My Public Service Career [published in The Manila Times]”

Prosecution or Persecution?

I rise again today on a matter of personal and collective privilege.

On several occasions, I took the floor of this august hall on very important issues affecting national interest.

Jose Pidal. Hello Garci. The NBN-ZTE Broadband Deal. The Fertilizer Scam. Jueteng Anomaly. The C5 Extension Road Project Double Appropriation. The Pork Barrel Anomalies. Plus many others, the latest of which talked about Joseph Ejercito- Estrada in “Dalawang Mukha ng Sining.”

Continue reading “Prosecution or Persecution?”

Ang Dalawang Mukha ng Sining

In Greek drama, masks were useful devices that allow the actor to play several different characters.

In the Philippine political drama, nothing much differs.

Mr. President, distinguished colleagues. Today, I rise on a matter of personal and collective privilege.

Continue reading “Ang Dalawang Mukha ng Sining”

Statement Regarding the Verdict on Former President Joseph E. Estrada

While I am saddened, even shocked by the guilty verdict, it is not for a layman like me to judge the Sandiganbayan justices who rendered the decision.

I may choose to disagree or be disheartened by the sentence of reclusion perpetua but the justices obviously had better access to all the information and evidence they need to arrive at their unanimous decision.

The next legal battle for the former president is just about to unfold. I hope that the Supreme Court can arrive at a decision that is fair and just to all concerned.

In the meantime, I will in my own personal capacity do whatever I can to console and provide whatever moral support to the former President.

*****

Nasyonalismo at Demokrasyang Pilipino: Paninindigan at Kapangyarihan ng Mamamayan

Ikalawang Kongreso ng Masa, People’s Movement Against Poverty (PMAP)
UP SOLAIR, Diliman, Quezon City

Bago ang lahat, binabati ko ang mga pinuno at kasapi ng PMAP sa matagumpay na pagdaraos ng inyong Ikalawang Kongreso ng Masa ng isang maalab at mapayapang pagbati.  Continue reading “Nasyonalismo at Demokrasyang Pilipino: Paninindigan at Kapangyarihan ng Mamamayan”

National Security

Speech Before the Rotary Club of Downtown Batangas

It always feels good to be with my fellow Rotarians. Even though I have not been as active when I was in Cebu, the saying goes perpetual right: Once a Rotarian, always a Rotarian.  Continue reading “National Security”

Doing What We Say: Speech at PNP Night

Police General Ping Lacson headed the PNP from 1999 to 2001.

Speech at PNP Night tendered by the Manila Overseas Press Club
Manila Hotel Ballroom

This is the first time I am given the privilege to address the prestigious Manila Overseas Press Club. This privilege comes on my ninth month as Chief of the Philippine National Police. Hence, I have chosen to deal on what we have been doing so far. I hope to touch also on some problems confronting the PNP.

What exactly are the responsibilities of the policeman and policewoman, regardless of rank, position and place of duty? These are three. One, to prevent crime together with the community. Two, to solve crime according to the mandates of our Criminal Justice System. Three, and while doing both, to live a simple, decent, and dignified life both as a person and as a professional.

These responsibilities are demanded by the nature of the police service. They are, in fact, the highest expectations by the Filipino people. Interestingly, our people have also made known the priorities that PNP should take. One, stopping illegal drugs. Two, breaking up organized, syndicated crime. Three, cleansing the police.

Let me first dispose of these three priorities in the minds and hearts of our people.

Continue reading “Doing What We Say: Speech at PNP Night”