Tag: Martin Romualdez

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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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We’re Getting There: Lacson to Fully Support Efforts Toward Logical Conclusion in Flood Control Mess Probe

We’re getting there, so let’s keep pushing to achieve a logical conclusion to the flood control project mess.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed this on Friday after the Independent Commission for Infrastructure and the Department of Public Works and Highways recommended to the Ombudsman the filing of graft, plunder and bribery charges against former Speaker Martin Romualdez and ex-Rep. Elizaldy Co.

“We’re getting there. We are beginning to see the fruits of our collective labor. But make no mistake: the road ahead is long, and we must sustain our efforts until we reach the logical conclusion: the prosecution, conviction, and jailing of those involved. This can be done only through the gathering and presentation of evidence,” said Lacson, who chairs the Blue Ribbon Committee looking into the corruption behind substandard and ghost flood control projects.

In Filipino: We’re Getting There: Lacson, Todo Suporta sa Pagsisikap para sa Logical Conclusion sa Isyu ng Flood Control

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Lacson: Why Did Ex-DPWH Chief Bonoan Take Project ‘Memos’ from ‘Outsiders’?

Why did ex-Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Sec. Manuel Bonoan receive handwritten “memos” from civilians or non-organic DPWH personnel on which projects to endorse when he headed the department?

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson bared this Tuesday as the Senate continues to look into the effects of corruption behind anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects.

“I am baffled by the documents I saw, where Bonoan received handwritten memos that turned out to be from civilians or non-organic DPWH personnel. How did these memos, which were scribbled on Post-It notes, get to Bonoan?” Lacson said in Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

“That’s the hard part. Such communications didn’t go through the official channels of the department. Why is the secretary dealing with them directly?” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Ex-DPWH Chief Bonoan Tumanggap ng mga “Memo” Mula sa Tagalabas?

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Lacson: Next Blue Ribbon Hearing on Nov. 14; ‘Very Important Witness’ to be Invited

Should he be reelected as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee when the Senate resumes session on Nov. 10, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson will set the panel’s next hearing on anomalous flood control projects on Nov. 14.

Lacson said a “very important witness” will be invited to the hearing to speed up the filing of airtight cases against some politicians, Department of Public Works and Highways officials and erring contractors.

He added retired T/Sgt. Orly Guteza will also be invited to the next hearing.

“If elected again as Blue Ribbon chairman on Nov 10, our hearing will resume on Nov 14. To help speed up the filing of airtight cases against some politicians, DPWH officials and errant contractors, we will invite among others, a ‘very important witness’ and retired T/Sgt Orly Guteza to shed more light on his ‘sinumpaang salaysay,'” he said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Susunod na Blue Ribbon Hearing sa Nob. 14; ‘Very Important Witness’ Imbitado

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