At the Kapihan sa Senado forum, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– dealing with China’s recent actions in the West Philippine Sea
– ‘conflict of interest’ at the DOH involving Sec. Duque, kin; corruption at PhilHealth
– proposals to scrap STL amid corruption row at PCSO
– ‘militarization’ of government with appointment of retired military/police officials
Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Kapihan sa Senado forum | Aug. 1, 2019”
When the regular jueteng collections of at least PhP200 million a day or PhP73 billion a year in Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region and Regions 1 to 5 alone translate to a mere PhP4 billion income for the PCSO from Small Town Lottery (STL) operations, a big chunk of which is not even in cash remittances but recorded as collectibles, we do not need an Albert Einstein to figure out how much goes to the individual pockets of STL franchise holders, corrupt politicians, policemen and PCSO officials.
No matter how many congressional hearings are conducted, the palms of these people continue to be greased by gambling money.
The fact is, illegal jueteng merely masquerades as legitimate STL operations, 7 days a week, without fail, whose “kubrador” are armed with PCSO IDs to avoid arrest by the police who may be co-opted anyways.
Should Lotto Have Been Excluded from the President’s ‘Suspension’ Order?
It’s like this: if the intention is to stop gambling altogether, then all forms of gambling, including the PAGCOR-regulated games like casinos and online should have been included.
Since it doesn’t appear that way, then lotto outlets should have been spared since there are no reports of revenue cheating as far as lotto operations are concerned because they are computerized and automated and therefore closely monitored – unlike STL where PCSO, for millions of reasons, has consistently resisted to make it more transparent and foolproof.
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Related:
Hearing on the controversies involving PCSO (Jan. 24, 2018)
Interview after hearing on PCSO-related issues (Feb. 12, 2018)
In an interview on DZBB, Sen. Lacson discloses how a whopping P95 billion of the DPWH’s 2019 budget was manipulated for pork. Other topics in the interview:
– Senate’s stand on not signing the ‘manipulated’ budget bill
– investigation of former PCSO GM Balutan
“Sabihin ko na tahasan. Ginulo ng House of Representatives kasi ayaw nila sumunod sa Constitution. Ayaw nila sumunod sa legislative process na tama. Sa ngalan ng pork barrel.”
Other quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB: ‘…Sa ngalan ng pork barrel’ | March 10, 2019”
From People’s Journal: Lacson practiced leadership by example when he headed the PNP from 1999 to 2001. Under his watch, the PNP became disciplined and efficient. This in turn earned Lacson and the PNP high approval marks from the public. “It is second to none. There is no substitute to it that I know of,” Lacson said of the principle of leadership by example. Continue reading “Editorial: Exemplary leadership [People’s Journal]”
At the Kapihan sa Senado forum, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– Killing of Mayor Halili
– Criminals getting bolder despite anti-crime drive
– Need for PNP to clamp down on loose firearms
– irregularities surrounding PNP acquisition of Mahindra vehicles
– Inflation up to 5.2%
– TRAIN woes
– National ID bill update
– PRRD clarification he never ordered anti-jueteng operations stopped
Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Kapihan sa Senado forum | July 5, 2018”
In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– need for PNP to be stricter vs loose firearms
– recent killings of local officials
– anti-jueteng operations
– proposed amendments to the Constitution by the consultative committee
Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “#PingSays: On addressing loose firearms, anti-jueteng ops, Charter change | July 4, 2018”
From the Manila Bulletin: Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said authorities, including the Philippine National Police, are duty-bound to enforce the law against illegal gambling, including the multi-billion a year “jueteng (numbers game)” operations. He also warned that even pausing anti-jueteng operations could be “risky and addicting” for police officials who may get offers from “jueteng” operators. Continue reading “Lacson says authorities are duty-bound to enforce law against illegal activities [Manila Bulletin]”
Authorities, including the Philippine National Police, are duty-bound to enforce the law against illegal gambling, including jueteng.
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson stressed this Friday as he noted Republic Act 9287 outlaws such illegal activities.
“There is an existing law declaring jueteng, among other forms of gambling as illegal, and it is not exempt from being pursued by law enforcement authorities. It also breeds corruption among law enforcement agencies,” said Lacson, who headed the PNP from 1999 to 2001.
Besides, he warned even pausing anti-jueteng operations could be “risky and addicting” for police officials who may get offers from jueteng operators. Continue reading “Authorities duty-bound to enforce law vs jueteng, illegal gambling”
From Manila Bulletin: Lacson estimated that the daily take from jueteng operations, usually in the Luzon area, reaches P267 million a day or about a potential P96 billion a year.
Continue reading “Lacson says PNP needs the will to end ‘jueteng’ [Manila Bulletin]”
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.
Speech before the Rotary Club of Manila
I feel honored today. It is good to be with you again. After all, it is not every week that one is given the chance to speak before the oldest of the country’s Rotary Clubs – certainly not the kind that Spokesman Toting Bunye has insulted. I mean that to be the truth – not the truth that Malacanan Palace speaks and expresses each time we, Filipinos seek an explanation on Garcillano, on impeachment, on Venable and what have you.I feel honored today. It is good to be with you again. After all, it is not every week that one is given the chance to speak before the oldest of the country’s Rotary Clubs – certainly not the kind that Spokesman Toting Bunye has insulted. I mean that to be the truth – not the truth that Malacanan Palace speaks and expresses each time we, Filipinos seek an explanation on Garcillano, on impeachment, on Venable and what have you.
The invitation of President Cesar made through fellow Rtn. Art to be your guest speaker today brings back good memories. This is the group to whom I delivered my first major address when I became Chief of the Philippine National Police in November 1999. I remember that was upon the invitation of a good friend and mentor and now a Senator and a distinguished colleague, the Hon. Alfredo S. Lim.
It was easy then to deliver my speech. There was a strong clamor for reforms in our country’s police force. In that address before you, I defined my response and vision. I remember talking about the ICU’s among the police – the inept, corrupt and undisciplined. At that time, I was already thinking of my antidote against the ICU’s. It was AID – aptitude, integrity, discipline. Continue reading “Where We Are”
Speech before Filipino-Indian Chamber of Commerce
I am very honored tonight to address your chamber. But the real honor belongs to the new leaders of the chamber. Tonight is their night. Tonight begins the first night of the rest of their lives. To them I convey my best wishes!
The invitation of President Ram Sitaldas was very forthright. In fact, he asked me to cover the subject he bluntly described as Past Imperfect, Future Tense. He made no reference to the present. Thus, I assume that the present is both imperfect and tense…
President Sitaldas is right. The imperfect past is a reality made permanent by history. Our most reasonable response can only be this: there is no saint without a past. Time to leave our past to God’s mercy. Continue reading “Past, Imperfect/Future, Tense: The Road Ahead For The Philippines”
Mr. President,
I rise again on a very urgent matter. This is not to wage war against fellow Senators, all of whom I hold in the highest respect. It is, rather, to urge them to have a second look at the moral hypocrisy of this administration.
