Tag: Ombudsman

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Lacson Rejects Military-Backed ‘Reset,’ Junta Amid Corruption Scandal

Public outrage over the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects must continue, but not at the expense of the Constitution, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson said recent proposals such as a so-called “transition council” and a supposed military-backed “reset” are all unconstitutional, and those behind them might as well “dream on.”

“I hope such military-backed intervention would not happen because nothing good can come out of it,” Lacson, who said Saturday that the public must stay angry but not violent, said in a mix of Filipino and English in an interview on DZBB radio.

“There are so many people with active imaginations. During times of crisis like this, we cannot blame them for thinking up extra-legal and unconstitutional ways, perhaps in their passion to change the system because they saw how systemic corruption has become,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Tinabla ang Panawagang Military-Backed “Reset” o “Junta” Dulot ng Iskandalo sa Katiwalian

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Lacson: Public Must Stay ‘Angry’ But Not Violent, to Keep Pressure on Govt vs Corruption

The issuance of arrest warrants against ex-Rep. Elizaldy Co and several others tied to anomalous flood control projects shows the government means business in addressing the issue, but the public must remain angry without being violent to ensure such efforts continue, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson said authorities – particularly Malacanang, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice – cannot afford to ease up because those involved would be emboldened to try again if they get away with their actions now.

“I don’t want public outrage to lessen, so long as people remain non-violent. If public anger diminishes, government might slacken their efforts. As of now, they are working because of the pressure from our people. But this is so long as the outrage does not turn violent, like the Sept. 21 protest where some protesters damaged some traffic lights,” he said in Filipino in an interview on DWIZ radio.

“No matter how many, no matter how long it takes, get to the bottom to achieve the logical conclusion,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Dapat Manatiling ‘Galit’ Pero Hindi Marahas ang Publiko para Patuloy ang Laban ng Gobyerno vs Korapsyon

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Lacson Pushes Retribution and Restitution for Anomalous Infra Projects

“Retribution plus restitution” should be the formula of the government in dealing with erring officials and contractors behind anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson said the government – and taxpayers – can potentially get back an initial P26 billion from contracted flood control ghost projects between 2023 and 2025 worth P629 billion, with 80% possible restitution in exchange for shortened jail terms after conviction of those involved.

“A simple extrapolation using the initial finding of 421 contracted ghost flood control projects out of the 8,000 (5.26%) so far inspected by the AFP/PNP/DepDev composite team as standard, with an aggregate total amount of at least P629B worth of flood control CONTRACTED projects in 2023-2025, if all those responsible – contractors, politicians and Department of Public Works and Highways officials – will return just 80% of their loot, after a plea bargaining agreement in exchange for shortened jail terms, easily the Filipino people can recover at least P26 billion,” Lacson said.

“Imagine the hundreds of billions in taxpayers’ money that we may be able to recover out of all the other similarly corrupted infrastructure projects,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Itinulak ang ‘Retribution and Restitution’ Formula para sa Maanomalyang Infra Projects

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On Ex-DOH Sec. Duque’s Claim that Former President Duterte Ordered Transfer of P47.6B Covid Funds to PS-DBM

Image from Presidential Communications Office

Hindi lang napakalaki kundi complicated ang implication ng pahayag ni ex-DOH Sec. Francisco Duque III lalo na sa legal na usapin.

Dapat ay linawin niya kung iniutos arbitrarily ni former President Rodrigo Duterte or he merely acted on the recommendation of DOH, PhilHealth or IATF sa pag-transfer ng P47 bilyon sa PS-DBM.

Una, may umiiral na jurisprudence (Arias vs Sandiganbayan) na kung saan inaabswelto sa criminal liability ang isang pinuno ng ahensya ng gobyerno kapag siya ay nag-apruba lamang ng rekomendasyon ng kanyang mga tauhan kahit mali pa ito.

That being said, may isinampa nang kaso ang Ombudsman in relation to the Pharmally case na inimbestigahan namin noon sa Senado. Ginawa lang ba ni Duque ito para pangdepensa sa sarili niya? Hindi naman kasi binanggit ni Duque noon ang pagdawit niya ngayon kay FPRRD.

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On the Implication of Former PS-DBM Officials in the Pharmally Procurement Scandal

While somebody whose name was prominently and repeatedly mentioned during the Senate hearings as the alleged financier of the syndicate is apparently missing in the list of those recommended for indictment, it is still good enough to commend the Ombudsman for this latest development.

That being said, I am willing to concede that maybe the evidence is not sufficient to establish probable cause against him.

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