Tag: One News

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Lacson: Senate Redemption May Start with Minority Bloc’s ‘Win’

The Senate’s redemption of the Senate from its current situation may start with a “Win,” as the minority bloc closed ranks behind Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian for Senate President, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson described Gatchalian as “eminently qualified” for the post as he cited not only his capability but his diligence and preparedness in Senate committee hearings and other proceedings.

“He is capable, qualified and prepares for his work. In all the committee hearings he attended or presided over, he knew what he was talking about and he was prepared. So we see him as eminently qualified to become the Senate President of the 20th Congress at least,” Lacson said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

“We know Gatchalian is qualified and can lead the Senate to have a united front against all issues facing it,” he said in a separate interview on DZRH. “He is acceptable not only to the minority but to some members of the majority.”

In Filipino: Lacson: Pagbangon ng Senado, Maaaring Magsimula sa ‘Win’ ng Minority Bloc

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Lacson Swats Away Panelo’s Prejudgment of Impeachment Trial Votes

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson swatted away as “nonsensical” the prejudgment by ex-presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo on how he and other senators would vote should the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte reach the Senate.

Lacson particularly took issue with Panelo’s claim that he, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, and Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis Pangilinan would vote to convict the Vice President.

“Why is Panelo trying to sound smarter than us? No one can speak on my behalf. And I have said this before – we’ll always be guided by the evidence. We haven’t reached the trial stage, why is he preempting us and calling us ‘pusakal/feral’?” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on Storycon on One News. “Is he a soothsayer? What if I say he’s a pusakal/feral soothsayer?”

“He isn’t just a feral dog. He’s an idiot,” Lacson said of Panelo.

In Filipino: Lacson, Tinaboy si Panelo sa ‘Prejudgment’ Nito sa Boto sa Impeachment Trial

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Lacson: Zaldy Co’s Potential BRC Appearance Could Boost Support for Partial Report

The possible appearance of arrested ex-Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee could prompt more senators to sign the panel’s partial report, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said late Friday.

Lacson said the decision now rests with the committee members, especially those who have been calling for the hearings to resume and for Co to be questioned.

“Co’s arrest is a good development because now it’s up to them to ensure that the hearings resume. It’s on them – do they want the hearings to continue and for Co to be grilled? The burden is now on them to sign the partial report,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on Storycon on One News.

In Filipino: Lacson: Posibleng Pagharap ni Zaldy Co sa BRC, Maaaring Magpalakas ng Suporta sa Partial Report

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Lacson Pushes Clear, Foolproof Safeguards vs Abuse, Political Patronage in 2026 Budget Bill

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson pushed late Monday for clear and foolproof safeguards to prevent abuse and political patronage, especially in at least three contentious issues in the P6.793-trillion proposed budget for 2026.

Lacson said there must be no political interference in the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP), funding for farm-to-market roads, and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)’s request to restore cuts in its budget.

“Some special provisions have been prepared to address the issues. We are studying the safeguards now. I am looking for ways to ensure these safeguards will be foolproof, that they will not be exploited by politicians,” Lacson said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on One News late Monday. “Safeguards are important to me, to make sure public funds in the budget do not go to corruption. That is the bottom line for me.”

“I made it clear that unless I see the safeguards are foolproof, I may go along with the minority if they will not sign to ratify the budget bill,” he added. “We have our own advocacies. Some advocate education and health. My advocacy is to fix the budget.”

In Filipino: Lacson, Itinulak ang Malinaw at ‘Foolproof’ na Safeguards vs Abuso at Political Patronage sa 2026 Budget Bill

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Transparency in Action: Lacson Encourages Public to Check 2026 Budget Bill on Senate Website

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Saturday encouraged the public to see how the Senate put transparency in action in its version of the P6.793-trillion proposed national budget by visiting the Senate website.

Lacson said the Budget Transparency Portal reflects the reforms undertaken by the Senate in the budget process, including livestreaming the proceedings from committee hearings to the floor deliberations.

“Overall, the crafting of the budget in the Senate was very good. I would encourage you, the public, to check the Senate website. You will see the individual amendments of each senator. Everything is on record, unlike before when we cannot trace who made what amendment because the amendments were merely whispered to the committee chairman,” he said in FIlipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

In Filipino: Transparency in Action: Lacson, Hinikayat ang Publiko na Suriin ang 2026 Budget Bill sa Website ng Senado

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