In an interview on DZBB/GMA News TV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* effect of reenacted budget on COVID-19 response in 2021
* connection between DPWH lump sums and delay of budget bill in the House of Representatives
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Walang Pondo para sa COVID-19 Vaccine/Response sa 2021 kung Reenacted ang Budget”
In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* options on further actions regarding anomalies at PhilHealth
* possible use of questionable sums in DPWH budget to address budget shortage for health care in 2021
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Sec. Duque, ‘Di Pa Lusot sa PhilHealth Mess; DPWH Lump Sums, Pondohan ang Universal Health Care?”
In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* charges that may be filed vs accountable PhilHealth execs
* who is the PhilHealth mafia
* remedial legislation
* cooperation of task force led by DOJ
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Mga Pwede Kasuhan sa PhilHealth, Tukoy Na”
When he appears on Tuesday, I’ll ask him, being the incumbent ex-officio chairman of PhilHealth who was present during the shouting match in their last board meeting that effectively triggered these controversies, why he has been very quiet in spite of all the anomalies being openly discussed with so many unanswered questions involving highly questionable transactions by PhilHealth in the procurement of IT equipment, IRM funds distribution and manipulation of the agency’s financial statements which no less than COA has red-flagged on top of recurring disallowances and suspension in billions of pesos year in and year out.
I’ll ask him what he intends to do or recommend to the President.
*****
QUOTES FROM DZBB/GNTV INTERVIEW…
Continue reading “Questions for the “Big Elephant” on the PhilHealth Mess”
In an interview on DZBB and GMA News TV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* Senate efforts to address COVID-19 situation [01:48]
* 3 issues hounding PhilHealth that the Senate probe will focus on [04:33]
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: 3 Strikes sa PhilHealth; Wala Nang Mapuntahan Kundi Mag-Resign?”
Unabated corruption and mismanagement of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) funds has been a topic of discussion among Senate President Sotto and me, along with some senators from the majority bloc, for quite some time now.
But the reported shouting match in a recent virtual conference between the PhilHealth president and some board members involving almost P1 billion worth of questionable transactions, including a total overprice of P98 million – if true, says it all.
I am now drafting a resolution calling for a Senate Committee of the Whole inquiry. As expressed by SP Sotto to me last night, this inquiry will be one of the Senate’s top agenda after our session resumes on Monday.
That such corruption occurred amid the COVID-19 crisis makes it more disgusting and abominable. Nakakasuya na sobra. Needless to say, there is urgency that the Senate has to act on the matter immediately, as part of its oversight mandate, having passed the Universal Health Law.
When the Senate investigated issues surrounding PhilHealth and the Department of Health – including instances of conflict of interest involving the family of DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III with the family-owned Doctors Pharmaceuticals Inc. having contracts with the Department of Health, and the PhilHealth regional office renting a Duque-owned building; and with the Secretary’s pattern of failure prompting 14 of us in the Senate to file a resolution seeking his resignation – we had high hopes the shenanigans at PhilHealth would end with a new leadership. Sad to say, how wrong we were.
*****
QUOTES from DZBB/GNTV INTERVIEW:
Continue reading “On the Reported Shouting Match over Corruption at PhilHealth”
In an interview on DZBB/GMA News TV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on the Anti-Terrorism Law:
* active role of the Commission on Human Rights in the Anti-Terror Law [10:31]
* encouraging the filing of petitions on the Anti-Terrorism Law to boost public discussion [14:48]
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: CHR, May Mahalagang Papel sa Anti-Terrorism Law”
In an interview on DZBB/GMA News TV, Sen. Lacson sets the record straight on pieces of disinformation against the Anti-Terrorist Act of 2020 – including safeguards against possible abuse; and the role of the Anti-Terrorism Council.
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Pagtatama sa Patuloy na Disinformation vs Anti-Terror Bill”
In an interview on DZBB/GMA News TV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* sufficiency of funds for 2nd tranche of social amelioration [0:16]
* 18M beneficiary families should get 2 months’ amelioration [1:07]
* possible supplemental budget [13:02]
* delay of funds due to ‘incompetence’ of some mayors, barangay heads [18:11]
* alleged ‘doble presyo’ of PPEs purchased by DOH, and related issues [20:18]
NOTES and QUOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: May Pondo sa Next Round ng Ayuda; Huwag Gutumin ang Pamilya Dahil sa Kapabayaan ni Mayor o ni Kap!”
In an interview on DZBB/GMA News TV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* possible supplemental budget to deal with COVID-19 [0:26]
* at least P989B unused from 2019 budget [2:40]
* local officials naipit sa Social Amelioration Program [17:39]
* DBM circular barring release of 35% of 2020 budget’s appropriations [19:45]
* lockdown until June? [24:17]
NOTES and QUOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: ECQ Extension, Supplemental Budget vs COVID-19 Needed?”
In an interview on DZBB/GMA News TV, Sen. Lacson cited the reasons for Senate Resolution 362, which sought the resignation of DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III for his “failure of leadership, negligence, lack of foresight and inefficiency in the performance of his mandate as DOH Secretary, resulting in poor planning, delayed response, lack of transparency and misguided and flip-flopping policies and measures in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic that endangered and continues to endanger the lives of our health care professionals, other frontliners, and the Filipino people.”
NOTES and QUOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: On the Senate Resolution Seeking Sec. Duque’s Resignation”
In an interview on DZBB/GMA News TV, Sen. Lacson stressed at least P200B in assistance to poor families affected by the COVID19-triggered quarantines should be distributed soonest, with scrutiny from the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee.
NOTES and QUOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Pagbigay ng Ayuda sa COVID19-Affected Areas, Dapat Ibigay Agad at Bantayin!”
In an interview on DZBB/GMA News TV, Sen. Lacson stressed the need for lawmakers to prioritize help for daily wage earners amid the COVID19-triggered lockdowns, while preventing corruption in the implementation of aid for those affected.
NOTES and QUOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Daily Wage Earners, Priority sa Tulong; Kukupit ng Tulong, Walang Karapatang Mabuhay!”
In a phone patch interview on DZBB and GMA News TV, Sen. Lacson notes the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 that was passed in the Senate will lead to a more proactive fight against terrorism, while containing safeguards to prevent possible abuses.
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Proactive na Tayo vs Terorismo!”
In a phone patch interview on DZBB and GMA News TV, Sen. Lacson cites the possibilities after the Visiting Forces Agreement, including possible intervening events that could ‘undo’ its abrogation.
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: After VFA, What’s Next?”
In a phone patch interview on DZBB and GMA News TV, Sen. Lacson discusses a possible supplemental budget and other options to make up for the P4B cut in the 2020 calamity fund.
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Supplemental Budget, Other Options for Slashed 2020 Calamity Funds”
The Senate sought P20B in calamity funds in the 2020 budget, but the bicameral conference committee approved only P16B. Where did the P4B go? Sen. Lacson answers questions on the subject in a phone patch interview on DZBB and GMA News TV.
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Saan Napunta ang P4B Kaltas sa 2020 Calamity Fund?”
In a phone patch interview on DZBB and GMA News TV, Sen. Lacson detailed how pork items that violate the Supreme Court’s 2013 ruling outlawing pork are ‘hidden’ in the 2020 budget.
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “#PINGterview: Galawang Ninja? Ping Details How Pork is ‘Hidden’ in 2020 Budget”
In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– need for transparency in crafting the 2020 budget
– curbing pork amid growing national debt
– making enemies while fighting pork in the budget
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB/GNTV: Dapat Isapubliko! Push for Transparency in the 2020 Budget | Nov. 5, 2019”
In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– thwarting possible attempts to insert pork in the P4.1-trillion proposed 2020 budget via bicam
– ‘most behaved’ House with P9.5B institutional amendments in the budget bill
– release of funds to address recent calamities
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB/GNTV: Walang ‘Pork’ sa 2020 Budget sa Unang Tingin? | Nov. 3, 2019”
In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– continued drug recycling by P/Maj Baloyo’s ‘colleagues’ who are still out there
– fate of Chief PNP Albayalde and race for his successor
– generals reportedly involved in drug trade
QUOTES AND NOTES:
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB/GNTV: Baloyo Pa More; Gen. Albayalde’s Fate | Oct. 6, 2019”
In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– technology-based solutions to stop corruption at BuCor
– proposed legislation to address BuCor woes
– accusations that the probe is targeting Sen de Lima
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB/GNTV: Technology and Other Solutions vs BuCor Woes; National ID vs Graft | Sept. 15, 2019”
In interviews on DZBB/GNTV and DZRH, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– onion-skinned, thick-faced, and callous public officials
– actions Malacanang can take after Senate hearing
– BuCor chief Faeldon testing closeness to President Duterte
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “Interviews on DZBB/GNTV, DZRH: Faeldon Testing Closeness to the President | Sept. 3, 2019”
In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– More Chinese drug convicts released from PH facilities
– Convicts in Chiong sisters’ 1997 rape-slay released
– Constitution as basis for the ‘Designated Survivor’ bill
Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB/GNTV: ‘Pera-Pera’ sa Bilibid; Constitution as Basis for ‘Designated Survivor’ Bill | Aug. 30, 2019”
In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– Senate hearing into Chinese ships’ incursions
– revisiting anti-graft laws
Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB/GNTV: Senate Hearing on Chinese Incursions, Revisiting Anti-Graft Laws | Aug. 20, 2019”
In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson questioned the trip to Europe of at least one PhilHealth official following the PhilHealth board’s reversal of a decision of the Court of Appeals. Sen. Lacson also answered questions on:
– special audit needed for PhilHealth
– PhilHealth ‘mafia’
– conflict of interest involving DOH Sec Duque and kin
Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB/GNTV: Europe Trip, Reward for Questionable PhilHealth Action? | Aug. 18, 2019”
In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– PhilHealth mafia and related irregularities
– revisiting existing anti-graft laws
Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB/GNTV: PhilHealth Mafia, Revisiting Anti-Graft Laws | Aug. 15, 2019”
In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– updating laws to deal with crimes like the Metrobank robbery
– PH invoking national dignity in UN-HRC resolution on killings
Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB/GNTV: On the Metrobank Robbery | July 17, 2019”
In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– national dignity factor in UN-HRC resolution on killings
– ‘double standard’ in UN, WPS issues?
– reported claim that VP Robredo’s stand on UN-HRC resolution is a ground for impeachment
Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB/GNTV: National Dignity in UN-HRC Resolution and WPS Issues | July 14, 2019”
In an interview on DZBB/GMA News TV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– Nationalism amid West Philippine Sea row
– On possibly bigger graft case at PhilHealth
– Corruption at the Bureau of Customs
Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB/GMA News TV: WPS Issue a Matter of Nationalism | June 30, 2019”
In an interview on GMA News TV, Sec. Lacson answered questions on:
– ‘Napolist,’ the list of lawmakers who dealt with Janet Lim-Napoles
– whether the legislature can recover from the Napoles scandal
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “Interview on GMA News TV | June 4, 2014”
In an interview on GMA News TV, former Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– the list of alleged pork barrel mastermind Janet Napoles
– Development Acceleration Program funds
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “Interview on GMA News TV | Oct. 9, 2013”
