Lacson: Senate Leadership Change was ‘Ugly’ Regardless of Political Side

Regardless of what one’s political side or persuasion may be, the leadership change at the Senate on Monday was ugly, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson said that while he understood the reason for the now-majority’s surprise move, the accompanying drama – including Sen. Ronald dela Rosa’s claim of being pursued and “wrestled” by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) – was an unpleasant sight.

He also said Sen. Lorna Regina Legarda, who replaced him as Senate President Pro Tempore after Monday’s leadership change, could have at least informed the then majority, or then Senate President Vicente Sotto III, of her decision.

“Any way you look at it, regardless of your political persuasion, what happened on Monday was ugly. It was an unpleasant sight,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: ‘Pangit’ ang Leadership Change sa Senado, Anuman ang Panig sa Pulitika

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Lacson Calls Out ‘Malicious, Sadistic’ Narrative Dragging Sen. Legarda into Senate Power Play

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday called out what he described as a “malicious and sadistic” narrative linking Sen. Loren Legarda to an alleged bid to change the Senate leadership.

Lacson said that after efforts to entice Legarda with the Senate presidency failed, those behind the supposed leadership move are spreading the lie that she volunteered to help them gather support.

“After dangling the Senate presidency to her, they are now floating the falsehood that it was Sen. Loren who volunteered to recruit warm bodies to pave the way for a new Senate majority. It is not only malicious. It is sadistic,” he said on X.

In Filipino: Lacson, Tinuligsa ang Malisyosong Salaysay Para Idawit si Sen. Legarda sa Power Play sa Senado

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Lacson: Senators Elected in 2025 Not Included in Leviste Claim on Budget Insertions

Senators who were elected last May are not among those who had budget insertions in the 2025 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as claimed by Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said.

Lacson said the records cited by Leviste, which supposedly showed senators’ insertions in the DPWH’s 2025 budget amounting to P120 billion, refer to a budget that was approved by the 19th Congress, months before the May midterm elections.

“Congressman Leviste should at least qualify his statement with the phrase ‘in the 19th Congress’ in fairness to the new members of the 20th Congress, including myself and Senate President Vicente Sotto III, among others,” he said.

“That said, even during the previous Congresses, I never partook of allocables or pork barrel allocations, or whatever names they were called,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Mga Senador na Nahalal noong Mayo, Hindi Kabilang sa Mga Mayroong 2025 Budget Insertions

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Lacson Revives Proposal to Merge State TV Networks to Save Costs, Improve Public Service

To save on subsidies while improving public service, why not revive a plan to integrate the government’s two television networks?

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson raised this Tuesday during the deliberations of the 2026 budget of the Presidential Communications Office, including state TV networks People’s Television Network (PTV) and Intercontinental Broadcasting Corp. (IBC).

“During the time of then Sec. Sonny Coloma under the presidency of the late President Benigno Aquino III, there was a plan to integrate the (then) three government TV stations and convert the same into a public service broadcaster in the mold of the British Broadcasting Co. This is also budget-related (because) it could save the government from providing subsidy to the stations,” Lacson said. “I think it’s worth studying and considering.”

In Filipino: Lacson, Ibinuhay ang Panukalang Pagsamahin ang State TV Networks para Makatipid at Mapahusay ang Public Service

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Start of the 20th Congress

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Sen. Ping Lacson takes his oath at the start of the First Regular Session of the Senate in the 20th Congress on Monday, July 28. He will be part of the Senate’s conscience bloc along with Sen. Tito Sotto, Loren Legarda, Migz Zubiri, and Risa Hontiveros.