Ang tama ay IPAGLABAN. Ang mali ay LABANAN.
Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I rise today on a matter of personal and collective privilege.
As chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, I have been subject of criticisms for not scheduling the 18 ex-military personnel who faced the media in an organized press conference at the historic Club Filipino on the eve of the 40th (anniversary of the) EDSA People Power Revolution to be called and testify before your Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations.
The math doesn’t lie – and right now, the story of 18 ex-military men on supposedly delivering P805 billion in cash to certain individuals still doesn’t add up, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Monday.
A still-wary Lacson said that if all the details of the 18 ex-soldiers were true, those behind the cash delivery scheme would not have finished their deliveries until 2028 at the earliest.
“Even as we speak, I continue to fact-check the claims. It would be hard to call a hearing if these were lacking in believability,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino, in an interview on DZMM radio.
In Filipino: Lacson, Tinitimbang ang ‘Believability’ ng Kuwento ng mga Dating Sundalo sa Paghahatid ng Pera
Continue reading “Lacson Weighs ‘Believability’ of Ex-Soldiers’ Cash Delivery Story”
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson reaffirmed Saturday that evidence will remain the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s guide in probing the alleged cash delivery scheme involving former military personnel, amid comments by the Iglesia ni Cristo on the issue.
Lacson also maintained his respect for the Iglesia ni Cristo and its opinion on the issue, as he pointed out that having a different opinion does not automatically mean disrespect.
“As chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, I haven’t changed my position about being led by evidence guided only by the prudent and logical way of treating any information that comes to my attention – evaluate and validate the credibility and reliability of both the source as well as the information itself before taking action,” he said.
In FIlipino: Lacson, Muling Pinagtibay ang Evidence-Based na Imbestigasyon sa Umano’y Cash Delivery Scheme na Kinasasangkutan ng mga Ex-Militar
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson has begun scrutinizing an alleged scheme involving former military personnel who allegedly delivered large sums of cash to ranking public officials, supposedly upon the instructions of ex-Rep. Elizaldy Co.
Lacson, who initiated the preliminary checks ahead of the formal filing of a Senate resolution directing the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to investigate the matter, noted two key areas that need further checking.
“We will evaluate first the source of information, which in this case are the 18 alleged Marine personnel who appeared at a press conference last Tuesday. Second is the reliability or credibility of the information itself, meaning the content of their affidavit,” said Lacson, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
In Filipino: Lacson, Sinusuri ang Umano’y Cash Delivery Scheme na Kinasasangkutan ng mga Ex-Militar
Continue reading “Lacson Scrutinizes Alleged Cash Delivery Scheme Involving Ex-Military Men”