Tag: Leandro Leviste

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Lacson Feels Cost of Fighting Corruption – Again

Standing against corruption often comes at a high personal and political cost, and Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is experiencing this once more amid the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into the flood control scandal.

Lacson said his chairmanship of the Blue Ribbon Committee, which is looking into the issue, has cost him friends and earned him new enemies, like in 2003 when he pushed for the abolition of the pork barrel system.

But he maintained he will continue to fulfill his duty and follow the evidence, regardless of who gets hurt.

“Déjà vu. When I took the chairmanship of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, I knew I could lose some friends and create new enemies. I had exactly the same feeling when I delivered my ‘Living Without Pork’ privilege speech in March 2003,” he said on X Saturday.

In Filipino: Lacson, Ramdam Muli ang Kapalit ng Pagsusulong ng Laban sa Katiwalian

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Lacson: Critics’ Freedom to ‘Fire at Will’ vs Government Should Shut Down Further ‘De Facto Martial Law’ Arguments

The freedom of critics to “fire at will” against the government should shut down any further claim that the country is under “de facto Martial Law,” Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson pointed out that this freedom of speech and expression, as enshrined in Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution, is the hole in arguments that the country is under such a state.

“When critics of government can ‘fire at will,’ not through underground media outlets but openly, to say that the country is under ‘de facto’ martial law is not only full of holes, but the hole itself,” he said on his X account.

In Filipino: Lacson: Kalayaan ng mga Kritiko na Pumitik sa Gobyerno, Pinakamalaking Butas sa Argumentong May ‘De Facto Martial Law’

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Lacson Rebuffs Claims of De Facto Martial Law in Philippines

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday rebuffed allegations that there is a “de facto Martial Law” in the Philippines as claimed by Rep. Leandro Leviste.

In an interview, Lacson said he does not see acts like the silencing of critics happening so far under the current administration.

“Of course not. Malayo. I do not agree,” Lacson said when asked about such claims, noting that if there were indeed a “de facto Martial Law,” Leviste would have been slapped with a libel complaint for criticizing supposed wrongdoings in the government.

“I often agree with him, considering his courage and principles. But this time, I don’t agree,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Pinabulaanan ang Pahayag na May ‘De Facto Martial Law’ sa Pilipinas

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Lacson to Imee: Evidence, Not Noise, Should Drive Flood Control Probe

Evidence, not noise, should drive the investigation into the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed this on Wednesday as he shut down Sen. Maria Imelda Josefa Remedios Romualdez “Imee” Marcos’ repeated personal attacks against him – while unearthing evidence that could link her cousin, former Speaker Martin Romualdez, to the Discayas.

Lacson cited persistent reports that the former Speaker bought a house and lot in a plush subdivision in Makati City, using the Discayas as front in the said sale. If verified to be true, he said this could possibly establish a direct connection between the former Speaker and the Discayas.

“This is what I’m advising Senator Imee Marcos. Noise does not convict, neither does it indict even who may be perceived as the most guilty in the flood control projects saga. Only evidence does. So if Sen. Marcos has evidence to contribute to implicate her cousin, she should take part in Monday’s hearing. No one will stop her on what she wants to do,” Lacson said in English and Filipino at the Kapihan sa Senado media forum.

In Filipino: Lacson kay Imee: Ebidensiya, Hindi Ingay, ang Dapat Magtulak sa Imbestigasyon sa Flood Control

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Lacson Outlines Consequences of Recantation, Scores Attempts to Discredit Proceedings

A double whammy may await former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials if they recant their sworn statements related to the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson, who set the next hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the matter on Jan. 19, said they will not only face sanctions for perjury, but their recantation will fail to weaken the cases being built against those involved.

“If they will recant, they may be liable for violating the law on perjury, Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code as amended by RA 11594, which raises the penalty for perjury to up to 12 years. This is aside from a penalty of P1 million and perpetual absolute disqualification if the offender is a government official,” he said in an interview on DZBB radio, amid reports indicating the officials may recant.

In Filipino: Lacson, Inilahad ang mga Posibleng Parusa sa Pag-uurong ng Salaysay, Tinuligsa ang mga Pagsisikap na Sirain ang Proseso

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