Ang tama ay IPAGLABAN. Ang mali ay LABANAN.
Senator-Judge Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Wednesday flagged what he described as “copy-paste” programs in the Office of the Vice President’s regular budget and in its Confidential and Intelligence Funds (CIF).
Lacson said it was “stupid” to “copy-paste” or use virtually identical program descriptions and physical targets for its regular budget and CIF.
In Filipino: Lacson, Binuking ang Pag-‘Copy-Paste’ ng mga Programa sa Regular na Budget at Confidential-Intelligence Funds ng OVP
The Impeachment Court trying the case of Vice President Sara Duterte would benefit from hearing a competent witness on the handling of confidential and intelligence funds, Senator-Judge Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.
Lacson noted that the evidence presented at Wednesday’s hearing appeared to show quarterly cash withdrawals by the Office of the Vice President, while his experience in intelligence and law enforcement suggested that such withdrawals are generally made only when operationally necessary.
“I’m wondering why neither the prosecution nor the defense is presenting a competent witness in the handling of intelligence and confidential funds. Kasi po in my previous life sa intelligence, sa law enforcement, ang natatandaan ko kasi limited ang purpose ng intelligence at confidential fund. Nagtataka ako, nakita ko ang regularity ng withdrawals ng cash parang every quarter except for Dec. 20 (I’m wondering why neither the prosecution nor the defense is presenting a competent witness in the handling of intelligence and confidential funds. In my previous life in intelligence and law enforcement, intelligence and confidential funds are limited. And I wonder why cash withdrawals are made regularly, every quarter except for Dec. 20),” he said in his manifestation.
In Filipino: Lacson: ‘Competent Witness’ sa Pangangasiwa ng Confidential at Intelligence Funds, Makabubuti sa VP Impeachment Trial
The Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) recognizes only two categories of reportable transactions – covered or suspicious – and does not define an “unusual” transaction, Senator-Judge Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.
Lacson made the clarification during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte after former Land Bank of the Philippines branch manager Nenita Camposano described as “unusual” a P37.5-million cash withdrawal from the Department of Education’s (DepEd) account.
Camposano, the prosecution’s second witness for Article I of the Articles of Impeachment, had noted that not all “unusual” transactions are flagged as suspicious or reported to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
“So wala hong (kakaiba). Suspicious lang, wala ang middle. It’s either you categorize it into covered or suspicious (So there’s no ‘unusual’ transaction. It’s either you categorize it into covered or suspicious transaction),” Lacson said.
In Filipino: Lacson: Walang ‘Unusual’ na Transaksyon sa Ilalim ng AMLA, Covered o Suspicious Lang
Senator-Judge and Senate Committee on Accounts Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson strongly opposed Vice President Sara Duterte’s request for special food arrangements during her impeachment trial in the Senate, as it may violate the government procurement law.
Lacson also said the Senate still has about P22.6 million in unspent appropriations from the 2025 budget for the impeachment trial that may be used to provide meals for those performing official duties in connection with the proceedings, including the prosecution and defense teams.
The Vice President had written Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian requesting that the Senate shoulder the costs of food, beverage and catering services for the defense team, while requiring that these be sourced exclusively from the Office of the Vice President’s accredited caterer.
“ON OVP’S REQUEST FOR SPECIAL FOOD ARRANGEMENTS: There’s still around P22.6M out of the original P27.5M budget under the 2025 GAA available for the impeachment trial to feed and quench the thirsts of both the prosecution and defense teams, their support staff and witnesses and for other impeachment related activities. That said, we cannot pay the OVP’s caterer without violating the procurement law,” he said in a post on X.
In Filipino: Lacson: Hiling ng OVP Para sa Special Food Arrangements, Maaaring Lumabag sa Procurement Law
Continue reading “Lacson: OVP Request for Special Food Arrangements May Violate Procurement Law”
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday scored Sen. Rodante Marcoleta over his “hypocrisy” regarding parliamentary and inter-parliamentary courtesy, by disregarding and invoking these when they suit his interests.
Lacson said that while Marcoleta opposed inter-parliamentary courtesy in inviting House members including former Speaker Martin Romualdez to Blue Ribbon Committee hearings, he insisted that parliamentary courtesy be followed in rushing the approval of the budget of the Office of the Vice President in 2024.
“Such hypocrisy. Such a double standard. Such a farce that does not dignify an answer, Mr. President,'” Lacson said in a privilege speech.
In Filipino: Lacson, Binatikos ang ‘Hypocrisy’ ni Marcoleta sa Usaping Parliamentary at Inter-Parliamentary Courtesy