Lacson: Ex-DPWH Secretary Bonoan Has Much to Reveal, But Must Also Make Restitution

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan may have much to disclose as a potential state witness in the flood control scandal, but he must also make restitution for the billions in public funds lost to the anomalies, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said late Monday.

Lacson also said those who have dealt directly with Bonoan must be “quaking in their boots” due to the information the former DPWH chief can disclose.

“He certainly has a lot to reveal – from allocables to anomalous flood control and other defective infrastructure projects, including but not limited to the P500M in exchange for his Commission on Appointments confirmation as DPWH secretary in November 2022. With this new development, those who had direct dealings with him must be quaking in their boots,” Lacson said.

In Filipino: Lacson: Maraming Maibubunyag si Ex-DPWH Sec. Bonoan, Ngunit Dapat Ding Mag-Restitution

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Lacson: Nothing Could Be Clearer, Sen. Jinggoy Cannot Participate in VP Impeachment Trial for 90 Days

With the Sandiganbayan’s preventive suspension order against Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, nothing could be clearer: he cannot participate in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte for 90 days, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson said this after the anti-graft court ordered the “suspension pendente lite” of Estrada from his present position as Senator and “any other public office” he may now hold or hereafter hold, in connection with charges stemming from the flood control scandal.

“The Sandiganbayan today hereby ‘ORDERS the suspension pendente lite of accused Sen Jose “Jinggoy” Ejercito P. Estrada from his present position as Senator of the Republic of the Philippines AND ANY OTHER PUBLIC OFFFICE THAT HE MAY OR HEREAFTER BE HOLDING FOR A PERIOD OF NINETY (90) DAYS…’ Nothing can be clearer than this. Sen Jinggoy CANNOT participate in the impeachment trial of VP Sara Duterte for a period of 90 days,” Lacson said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Wala Nang Mas Liliwanag Pa — Hindi Makalahok si Sen. Jinggoy sa Impeachment Trial ng Bise Presidente sa Loob ng 90 Araw

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Lacson: Majority’s No-Show Aimed to Hold Legislation Hostage

The no-show of the majority bloc in Monday’s Senate session sought to hold legislation hostage over the arrest of Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada – but will not solve anything, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson said what happened Monday was not a case of standing up for the Senate’s independence but plain and simple dereliction of duty by the majority bloc led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.

“Standing up for the Senate’s independence does not place SP Cayetano and any senator above the law. It has nothing to do with non-adherence to the rule of law. Dereliction of duty will not solve this partisan gridlock. Its sole purpose is to hold legislation hostage,” he said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Pag-Absent ng Majority sa Sesyon, Balak Gawing Hostage ang Legislation

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Solid Bloc 11: This is not Senate Independence But a Boycott of Duty

The Solid Bloc 11 minority senators were present today for the 5 p.m. resumption of session, ready to work, ready to vote on pending bills and ready to keep the Senate running, but the majority led by SP Cayetano chose not to show up.

They did not even have the courtesy to inform us when they ignored the rules, and could not extend the basic decency of telling the minority that they had no intention of convening.

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Lacson: Ombudsman’s Flood Control Charges Vindicate Blue Ribbon Probe

The planned filing of plunder and other charges by the Office of the Ombudsman against personalities linked to the flood control mess vindicate the findings of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson said the Blue Ribbon panel’s investigation under his chairmanship had gathered key evidence and transmitted it to the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice.

“Ombudsman (Jesus Crispin) Remulla’s announcement that plunder, malversation and other cases will soon be filed with the Sandiganbayan against the same government officials implicated in the Blue Ribbon Committee’s partial report on the flood control anomaly is a vindication of our findings and recommendations,” he said on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Kasong Flood Control na Ihahain ng Ombudsman, Nagpapatunay sa Blue Ribbon Probe

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