Lacson: After Romualdez Arrest, Let Trial Proceed and Let Evidence Speak

Following the arrest of former Speaker Martin Romualdez, it is now time to let the trial proceed and let the evidence speak on the flood control scandal, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Monday evening.

Lacson said the arrest of Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., should silence critics who have accused the President of weak leadership and lack of resolve.

In Filipino: Lacson: Matapos ang Pag-Aresto kay Romualdez, Ituloy ang Paglilitis at Hayaang Magsalita ang Ebidensya

Continue reading “Lacson: After Romualdez Arrest, Let Trial Proceed and Let Evidence Speak”

Lacson Dares ‘Critics’ to Present Evidence of Fake Narratives Before Blue Ribbon Panel

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday dared “critics” of the panel’s investigation into the flood control scandal – including on the so-called “cong-tractors” – to come forward and present proof of their claims.

Lacson particularly addressed the “critics” who use the issue of the supposed “67 cong-tractors,” or House members who are also contractors of government projects, as an excuse not to sign the panel’s partial committee report.

In his privilege speech where he detailed the progress of the panel’s investigation, Lacson also turned the tables on those who insisted on disregarding inter-parliamentary or inter-chamber courtesy in summoning lawmakers to the hearings.

“Kung mayroon mang may hawak ng impormasyon, o kung kaya nilang tukuyin ang iba pang mga cong-tractors na ito—katulad ng ginagawa ni Ombudsman Remulla— name them. If you have the evidence, present it. If you know the perpetrators, expose them (Whoever has information, or if they can name these cong-tractors like Ombudsman Remulla is doing, name them. If you have the evidence, present it. If you know the perpetrators, expose them),” Lacson said. “The Committee will provide the platform for you.”

In Filipino: Lacson, Hinamon ang mga Kritiko na Magprisinta ng Ebidensiya ng ‘Fake Narratives’ sa Blue Ribbon Panel

Continue reading “Lacson Dares ‘Critics’ to Present Evidence of Fake Narratives Before Blue Ribbon Panel”

Lacson Readies Blue Ribbon Chairman’s Progress Report, Eyes ‘Faceoff’ with Former Speaker, Zaldy Co, Ex-Soldiers

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is preparing a Chairman’s Progress Report on the flood control scandal to pave the way for the resumption of hearings and to aid case-buildup by the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman.

Lacson also said he is keen on inviting anew former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez to the committee’s next hearing – and having him join a faceoff with captured former Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co and former soldiers who claimed to have delivered kickbacks to various personalities on Co’s orders.

“We have drafted a Chairman’s Progress Report. I cannot report out the partial committee report on the Senate floor due to the lack of needed signatures. So to get it over with, I have thought of drafting the Chairman’s Progress Report, which has a precedent,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio Sunday.

“We owe it to the Filipino people. The Blue Ribbon Committee has conducted eight hearings on the matter but has yet to come up with even a partial report,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Inihahanda ang Blue Ribbon Chairman’s Progress Report, Balak ang ‘Faceoff’ kina Dating Speaker Romualdez, Zaldy Co, at mga Dating Sundalo

Continue reading “Lacson Readies Blue Ribbon Chairman’s Progress Report, Eyes ‘Faceoff’ with Former Speaker, Zaldy Co, Ex-Soldiers”

Lacson: Romualdez Should Have Heeded Blue Ribbon Invitations to Refute Budget ‘Mangling’ Allegations

Former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez should have heeded invitations to attend the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s hearings last November and January to refute allegations linking him to the “mangling” of the 2025 budget, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson said the committee issued at least two official invitations to Romualdez to testify on the budget controversy, which has been linked to anomalous flood control projects and other irregularities.

“The Blue Ribbon Committee gave the former speaker at least two chances through official invitations to testify under oath and public scrutiny to what may be his strong argument against allegations of masterminding the ‘mangling beyond recognition’ of the 2025 national budget during the bicameral conference, which he now claims to have been made by only two people – then SP (Senate President Francis) Chiz Escudero and ex Cong and House Appropriations Chairman (Elizaldy) Zaldy Co,” Lacson said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Dapat Sinunod ni Romualdez ang Mga Imbitasyon ng Blue Ribbon para Sagutin ang Alegasyon sa Pagkalikot sa 2025 Badyet

Continue reading “Lacson: Romualdez Should Have Heeded Blue Ribbon Invitations to Refute Budget ‘Mangling’ Allegations”

Lacson Plans to Invite Co, Ex-Soldiers to Next Blue Ribbon Hearing

Once its partial committee report on the flood control scandal is formally filed, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee may invite to its next hearing captured former Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co – along with Orly Guteza and the former soldiers who claimed to have delivered P805 billion in alleged kickbacks from anomalous flood projects to various personalities on Co’s orders.

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon panel Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday that the testimonies of Guteza and the ex-soldiers are “interconnected” with Co.

“Once Co is in the Philippines and the court allows it, I plan to have him attend the hearing along with Guteza and the ex-soldiers so we will find out who is truthful, who is telling half-truths, and who is lying,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

In Filipino: Lacson Plano Imbitahan si Co, Mga Ex-Sundalo sa Susunod na Blue Ribbon Hearing

Continue reading “Lacson Plans to Invite Co, Ex-Soldiers to Next Blue Ribbon Hearing”