Tag: Joel Villanueva

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Lacson Commends Majority Colleagues for Responding to Higher Calling

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Wednesday commended his colleagues in the majority bloc for answering a higher calling – one that rises above friendships and affiliations – to fulfill their duty as legislators and uphold the integrity of the Senate.

Before moving to nominate Sen. Vicente Sotto III as Senate President Pro Tempore, Lacson underscored that this higher calling transcends not just personal or political ties, but also one’s own self-interest.

“I think I will be remiss of my duty and responsibility as a senator, colleague, and friend, if I didn’t thank and commend our two distinguished colleagues, Senator Chiz Escudero and Senator Joel Villanueva, for responding to their higher calling for this chamber, our beloved institution known as the Philippine Senate. Higher than their friendships. Their affiliations. And every individual member of this body. Even higher than themselves,” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson, Pinuri ang mga Kasamahan sa Majority Bloc sa Pagtugon sa Mas Mataas na Panawagan

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Lacson: Majority Prepared for Disgraced Ex-SP Cayetano’s Dirty Tricks at Senate Special Session

The Senate majority bloc led by Senate President Pro Tempore and acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian is ready for any dirty tricks that disgraced ex-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano may attempt during the Senate’s special session, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson said that while everyone except Cayetano and a handful of his allies recognize Gatchalian as the Senate’s leader, Cayetano has shown he is capable of doing anything to preserve his “power.”

“Members of the majority bloc are ready with contingencies in case he makes a scene. We have discussed measures that I am not at liberty to divulge. I have emphasized to the majority bloc to not underestimate him because he is capable of dirty tricks. He doesn’t care about the institution, he only cares about himself,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: Mayorya, Handa sa Anumang Maruming Balak ni Disgrasyadong Ex-SP Cayetano sa Senate Special Session

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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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Real talk vs fantasy [Manila Times]

From Ben Kritz’s column in The Manila Times: Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson (said that) the government needs to take decisive and perhaps even “extreme” action to come to grips with skyrocketing oil prices. Rather than just leave it at that, Lacson went on to specify the legal tools and funds that are already in place to do that.

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Lacson in ‘Sagasa Mode,’ Waiting for ‘Receipts’ on Flood Control Project Commissions to Senators

After confirming multimillion-peso budget insertions in 2023 and 2025 tied to Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is now waiting for “receipts” or proof of commissions they allegedly got from flood control projects.

Lacson said Friday that the “receipts” will aid in crafting stronger anti-corruption and accountability measures, as well as help the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and other prosecution bodies like the Ombudsman or Department of Justice.

In radio and TV interviews Friday morning, Lacson said he will ask Senate President Vicente Sotto III to allow ex-Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer Brice Hernandez to leave the Senate premises under escort, to produce these “receipts.” Hernandez had given details linking the two senators and a member of the House of Representatives to the insertions and claimed they got 30% commissions from flood control projects.

In Filipino: Lacson, ‘Sagasa Mode’ Na, Naghihintay ng ‘Resibo’ sa Flood Control Komisyon ng mga Senador

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