Tag: NBI

Statements

On the NBI’s Filing of Charges vs PhilHealth Officials

This is one good reason why the Senate must keep going in performing our oversight function as our collective responsibility to the People of the Philippines.

Modesty aside, most of the pieces of evidence used by the National Bureau of Investigation were culled from the materials that we submitted to the Department of Justice.

We can only hope that this case reaches its logical conclusion to make all those who, without a shred of conscience in their bones, took advantage of a deadly virus to fleece government of funds intended to respond to an unprecedented health crisis that we continue to grapple with.

That said, there is more reason that we should trust DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra and his people at the DOJ and NBI.

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Radio, Statements

On PhilHealth’s New President and His First Marching Order

Removing all the regional vice presidents of PhilHealth may be easier ordered than implemented, considering that a number of them are protected by the civil service law. This is not to mention that it is unjust and unfair to those who are not involved in shenanigans in PhilHealth.

That said, I’ve known Dante Gierran enough to say that he is a good man. I hope and I mean it – that PhilHealth will not be Dante’s Inferno as he faces the challenges of his new mission.

As a former chief of the National Bureau of Investigation, he should have no trouble coordinating with the powerhouse task force led by Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, his former boss, to implement much-needed reforms in PhilHealth.

I hope he will not fall victim to manipulation by parties inside and outside of the agency who have caused the state insurer to lose billions of pesos to corruption – not just for his sake, but for all Filipinos covered by PhilHealth.

*****

QUOTES from TELERADYO INTERVIEW…
 Continue reading “On PhilHealth’s New President and His First Marching Order” →

Statements

Decisiveness, Not Divisiveness: On the Need to Temper Emotions

While I can easily relate to Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay and understand how he feels about the Army officers slain in Sulu, emotions running high at this point is the last thing they need.

For all they know, their common enemies such as the terrorists and armed insurgents are already celebrating the Sulu incident – and even making plans to exploit it.

These enemies of the State and our people, through their legal fronts, are very capable of fanning the flames of animosity between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police by creating intrigues to further divide the country’s two major security forces.

Such fronts have demonstrated their capabilities in sowing disinformation about the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and the National ID system, among other measures designed to improve the lives of the people.

Ultimately, decisiveness, not divisiveness, is needed in dealing with the enemies of the State and the Filipino people.

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Statements

On the Fatal Police Shooting of Army Officers in Sulu: Speedy but Thorough Probe is Critical
Image: CTTO

A speedy but thorough determination of the facts that led to the tragic shooting of four Army officers by police in Sulu is critical and cannot be emphasized enough.

It is wise and proper that both Philippine National Police Chief P/Gen. Archie Gamboa and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. have agreed that the National Bureau of Investigation take full control of the criminal investigation, and allow the evidence to dictate the findings.

But the NBI’s investigation results notwithstanding, and more than making fully accountable all those responsible for the incident, the ground commanders of both sides must be in full control of the situation to avoid an escalation of the situation.

Our security forces already have their hands full in their fight against their common adversaries such as terrorism and insurgency in Mindanao. Allowing disunity in any form would give the enemy an unwanted advantage that could prove fatal for our nation.

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Statements

On the Killing of Suspended BuCor Legal Chief Frederic Anthony Santos
photo0912-004
Slain BuCor legal officer Frederic Anthony Santos at a Senate hearing in September 2019

It is another big challenge to law enforcement agencies, including the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation, to get to the bottom of the case.

The manner in which Santos was killed shows how cheap life has become in the government’s war on drugs, be it stage-managed or perpetrated by drug syndicates.

Either way, it is on the law enforcement agencies to bear the burden of finding the solution to this impunity.

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In the News, Radio, Statements, TV

Interview on DZBB/GNTV: National Dignity in UN-HRC Resolution and WPS Issues | July 14, 2019

In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– national dignity factor in UN-HRC resolution on killings
– ‘double standard’ in UN, WPS issues?
– reported claim that VP Robredo’s stand on UN-HRC resolution is a ground for impeachment

Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB/GNTV: National Dignity in UN-HRC Resolution and WPS Issues | July 14, 2019” →

In the News, Radio, Statements

Interview on DZMM: MDT to Prevent, Not Trigger War; Former SFA in HK | June 21, 2019

In an interview on DZMM, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– Mutual Defense Treaty to prevent, not trigger war
– former SFA del Rosario in Hong Kong

Quotes from the interview…
 Continue reading “Interview on DZMM: MDT to Prevent, Not Trigger War; Former SFA in HK | June 21, 2019” →

In the News, Radio, Statements

Interview on DZBB: PhilHealth Row and Universal Health Care | June 16, 2019

In an interview on DZBB, Sen. Lacson answered questions on the PhilHealth row, including:
– possible implications on the government’s Universal Health Care program
– how the NBI is handling the case
– how the National ID system can help stop fraudulent health claims
– how the public can help prevent a repeat of the mess

Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB: PhilHealth Row and Universal Health Care | June 16, 2019” →

In the News, Photos, Statements, Videos

Kapihan sa Senado forum | May 9, 2019

At the Kapihan sa Senado forum, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– ‘Bikoy’ caper
– Palace’s new matrix
– May 13 midterm elections
– businesses of foreign nationals in PH that discriminate against Filipinos

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Quotes from the interview…
 Continue reading “Kapihan sa Senado forum | May 9, 2019” →

In the News, Radio, Statements

Interview on DZBB: Bikoy Video, Chinese ‘Traders’ | May 5, 2019

In an interview on DZBB, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– calls for Senate investigation into the ‘Bikoy’ videos
– discernment on Chinese ‘investments’ in PH
– bribery at the Bureau of Immigration?
– May 13, 2019 elections as ‘referendum’ of PRRD leadership

Quotes from the interview…
 Continue reading “Interview on DZBB: Bikoy Video, Chinese ‘Traders’ | May 5, 2019” →

In the News, Statements, TV

Interview on ANC | May 2, 2019

In an interview on ANC, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– reported arrest of ‘person of interest’ in the uploading of ‘tunay na narco list’ video
– Senate Bill 2219, encouraging public participation in budgeting process
– PRRD’s taking up WPS issue with Chinese President Xi
– illegal Chinese workers and SMEs

photo0502-anc

Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on ANC | May 2, 2019” →

Photos, Speeches

Message to the National Bureau of Investigation at Its Flag-Raising Ceremony

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Director Dante Gierran, mga namumuno sa NBI, mga kawani ng Bureau, magandang umaga sa ating lahat. For the first time in many years, I’m with a friendly National Bureau of Investigation.

I have an amusing story to tell.  When I was a young kid of six, probably seven years of age, I have always dreamt of becoming an NBI agent. From numerous life-threatening exploits narrated by my late grandfather, who fought the Spaniards at a very young age as a Katipunero in our historic province of Cavite, I became instantly fascinated by people whose bread and butter was risking their lives to fight for their country.

The moment I first set my bare foot at the soil of our barrio’s one and only elementary school, my mind was already set on becoming a lawyer someday, not to prosecute or defend litigants in the judicial process but to simply become a regular agent of the National Bureau of Investigation.

Continue reading “Message to the National Bureau of Investigation at Its Flag-Raising Ceremony” →

Interpellation, Videos

Day 4: Senate Deliberations for the Proposed National Budget for 2018

Statements

Lacson Pushes for NBI, BI Budget Increase

Senator Panfilo M. Lacson on Wednesday moved to augment the budget of the Bureau of Immigration and the National Bureau of Investigation in an effort to boost its law enforcement assets and capabilities.  Continue reading “Lacson Pushes for NBI, BI Budget Increase” →

Past Speeches [before the 17th Congress]

Dreams and the Right Direction

Speech Before the 39th Collegiate Commencement Exercises
Masbate Colleges

First of all, please allow me to thank you all for inviting me to the 39th Collegiate Commencement Exercises of the Masbate Colleges.  Continue reading “Dreams and the Right Direction” →