From Inquirer.net: Government project funding has allegedly been bloated by 328 percent after receiving “double, triple, quadruple and quintuple” appropriations this year–but hidden in the 2024 national budget, former Sen. Panfilo Lacson said.
Continue reading “Lacson reveals some gov’t project funding bloated by staggering 328% [Inquirer]”
A timeline of former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s revelations on the proposed 2024 Budget:
From SPIN.ph: Ping Lacson has sage advice on Edsa traffic to FIBA World Cup teams: Avoid Edsa or lose by default.
Continue reading “Ping Lacson has sage advice on Edsa traffic to World Cup teams [SPIN.ph]”
From the Inquirer: (A)s pointed out by anti-corruption crusaders like former senator Panfilo Lacson and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, we need infrastructure that is not subject to the corrupt racket that lines the pockets of politicians and their private sector cohorts and which results in substandard projects that need frequent repairs.
Continue reading “Editorial: The Filipino curse of ‘puede na’ [Inquirer]”
From the Inquirer: To be sure, Magalong’s uncompromising stand against the unremitting greed of some public officials has also gained support from his allies, including former senator Panfilo Lacson, his fellow retired police general who fought against the pork barrel system.
Continue reading “Editorial: Joining Magalong’s lonely crusade [Inquirer]”
From the Inquirer: That the singular protest comes from a former senator whose voice has grown hoarse from repeated warnings (many times ignored) about government budget abuses should not be a cause of complacency for our economic managers.
Continue reading “Editorial: Save the PH from debt misuse [Inquirer]”
This position paper is an offshoot of the pronouncement of Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Benjamin Diokno on March 28, 2023 about the Marcos administration’s intent to overhaul the pension system of the military and uniformed personnel (MUP).
Continue reading “REFORMING THE MUP PENSION SYSTEM: A Position Paper of PMA Class of 1971, Inc.”
While he is all for upholding the welfare of women, former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is concerned that a proposal for a paid menstrual leave may do more harm than good to the ordinary working woman whose rights it is supposed to uphold, as well as to the country.
Lacson pointed out the economic implications of such a leave may lead to layoffs or even closing of some factories whose owners do not have the budget for it.
“Instead of benefiting the female workforce in general, it may have a negative effect on the economic and political stability of the country,” he said.
Continue reading “Lacson: Paid Menstrual Leave May Have Unintended Consequences on Women”
Stupidity or greed? If reports are accurate that the budget appropriated by Congress for the setup of redundancies in the air traffic control system was diverted to some beautification projects at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), those responsible should spend their next holiday season in jail.
First, an appropriation is a provision of law passed by Congress that must be followed by the implementing agency.
That being the premise, while I cannot speak for the present Congress, I used to grill concerned Executive Department officials on how they used the budget not just for the previous year but even as far back as three years before approving their budget proposal – especially during the committee deliberations where we could directly question the heads of agencies concerned.
Prior to the committee hearings and plenary debates, I diligently reviewed and discussed with my staff both the proposed and past appropriations of major agencies even as far back as three budget years, with emphasis on underutilization and misuse of public funds.
Incidentally, the DoTr is one of the departments with the worst underspending records, year in and year out. The P13 billion must have been part of their unspent appropriations declared as savings then realigned. I hope Sen. Grace Poe’s committee can look more deeply into the history of that particular appropriation.
*****
That being said, an impartial investigation must be conducted immediately with the end in view of preventing any similar incident in the future.
More importantly, the intended hostage is safe and unscathed even as we should pray for the injured police officer.
What is not known to many, an offer for transfer was already made by the PNP to Sen de Lima as early as mid-August this year on the occasion of the US Congressional delegation visit led by Sen. Markey, the reason being – the PNP Custodial Center is primarily designed for high-value criminals and high-risk terrorists. Unfortunately, the former senator declined the offer and opted to stay where she is presently detained.
That all being said, and without intending to preempt the authorities, high-risk detainees who are members of an internationally proscribed terrorist organization like the Abu Sayyaf Group should be isolated and not mixed with the other PDLs.
That, I assume, will be part of the recommendations in an investigation now being conducted.
*****
Hindi dapat paniwalaan ng mga Pilipino ang pahayag ng Pangulo na walang nangyayari sa mga imbestigasyon na ginagawa sa Senado. Maraming batas na pinakikinabangan ng taumbayan ang naipasa namin dahil sa mga inquiries at imbestigasyon na isinagawa namin.
Magbasa rin muna siya tungkol sa doktrina ng Separation of Powers at Checks and Balances ng Ehekutibo, Kongreso at Hudikatura bago niya kami pakialaman sa Senado.
Sa halip, asikasuhin niya ang mga kakulangan ng sangay ng gobyerno na kanyang pinamumunuan na hitik sa incompetence at corruption, hindi lang sa pagtugon sa pandemya kundi sa maraming aspeto ng governance.
Kaya hindi nakakasuhan ang ilang matataas na opisyal na naging subject ng pag-iimbestiga namin ay dahil ipinagtatanggol niya sa halip na makasuhan.
Hindi trabaho ng Senado ang magsampa ng demanda. Trabaho ng Executive Branch iyon. Judiciary naman ang magpapakulong. Mahirap bang i-memorize yan?
*****
Personal na sinaluduhan at hinangaan ni Senador Panfilo Lacson ang mga auditor ng gobyerno sa pagiging listo at maagap ng mga ito sa pagsuri sa kahina-hinalang transaksiyon sa ilang ahensiya na posibleng mauwi sa korapsiyon.
Ayon kay Lacson, kung walang Commission on Audit (COA) na nag-uulat, malayang-malaya ang mga tiwaling opisyal sa pag-abuso at paglustay sa limitado nang pondo mula sa kaban ng bayan.
“Imagine a country without state auditors… kanya kanyang kupit, kanya kanyang kurakot,” banggit ni Lacson sa pamamagitan ng Twitter.
Read in ENGLISH: Lacson Salutes State Auditors for Flagging Potential Corruption
Continue reading “State Auditors, Sinaluduhan ni Ping vs Korapsyon”
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson on Thursday saluted state auditors for heading off corruption by flagging irregular transactions by various government agencies.
Lacson said that without the Commission on Audit (COA)’s reporting, corrupt officials would have had free rein to misuse and abuse already-limited resources.
“Imagine a country without state auditors… kanya kanyang kupit, kanya kanyang kurakot,” Lacson said in a post on his Twitter account.
Basahin sa TAGALOG: State Auditors, Sinaluduhan ni Ping vs Korapsyon
Continue reading “Lacson Salutes State Auditors for Flagging Potential Corruption”
Nakakabahala.
Ito ang naging paglalarawan ni Senador Panfilo Lacson sa pag-amin ni Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Guillermo Eleazar sa nagaganap na data-gathering activities sa ilang mga barangay sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa.
Bagama’t una na ito pinabulaanan ng PNP, tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang nabanggit na aktibidad, batay sa huling impormasyong nakakarating kay Lacson na namuno sa ahensiya mula 1999 hanggang 2001.
“The Chief PNP’s admission that such data-gathering activities are going on (and still going on, as per latest information received) is alarming. Being their former chief, I cannot allow the PNP to engage in partisan politics and be ‘bastardized’, worse – using public funds,” banggit ni Lacson sa kanyang Twitter account.
Read in ENGLISH: Lacson Alarmed over PNP Chief’s Admission of ‘Data-Gathering’ Activities
Continue reading “Ping Nabahala sa Pagkumpirma ng PNP Chief sa ‘Data-Gathering’”
Alarming.
This was how Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson described on Tuesday the admission by Philippine National Police chief Guillermo Eleazar that there are “data-gathering” activities in several barangays nationwide.
Citing the latest information reaching him, Lacson – who headed the PNP from 1999 to 2001 – also said such activities are still ongoing, amid the PNP’s initial denial.
“The Chief PNP’s admission that such data-gathering activities are going on (and still going on, as per latest information received) is alarming. Being their former chief, I cannot allow the PNP to engage in partisan politics and be ‘bastardized’, worse – using public funds,” Lacson said on his Twitter account.
Basahin sa TAGALOG: Ping Nabahala sa Pagkumpirma ng PNP Chief sa ‘Data-Gathering’
Continue reading “Lacson Alarmed over PNP Chief’s Admission of ‘Data-Gathering’ Activities”
Dapat matigil na ang pagsasagawa ng “census” sa ilang barangay gamit ang pondo ng National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), kasunod ng pagtanggi ng mismong pamunuan ng Philippine National Police (PNP) na pinapayagan nito ang aktibidad na ito.
Ito ang mensahe ni Senador Panfilo Lacson, kasunod na rin ng mga impormasyon na kanyang natatanggap tungkol sa “census” mula mismo sa mga field commanders ng PNP.
Ayon kay Lacson, bilang pangunahing sponsor sa Senado ng badyet ng NTF-ELCAC, hindi niya puwedeng ipagkibit-balikat na lamang ang ganitong impormasyon.
“The PNP’s denial should put a stop to the illegal data gathering activities on 30% of the country’s local population. As the Senate’s principal sponsor of the NTF-ELCAC budget, I cannot simply disregard a pattern of such reports coming from their own field commanders,” banggit ni Lacson sa Twitter.
Read in ENGLISH: Lacson: PNP Denial Should End Illegal Data-Gathering Using NTF-ELCAC Funds
Continue reading “Ping: Dahil Itinanggi ng PNP, Illegal Data-Gathering Gamit ang Pondo ng NTF-ELCAC Itigil Na”
The denial by the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership that it authorized reported “census” activities in some barangays using funds of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) should put an end to such data-gathering, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said Saturday.
Lacson said he cannot simply disregard such reports since he is the principal sponsor of the NTF-ELCAC’s budget in the Senate – especially if the reports originate from the PNP’s own field commanders.
“The PNP’s denial should put a stop to the illegal data gathering activities on 30% of the country’s local population. As the Senate’s principal sponsor of the NTF-ELCAC budget, I cannot simply disregard a pattern of such reports coming from their own field commanders,” Lacson, who headed the PNP from 1999 to 2001, said in a post on his Twitter account.
Basahin sa TAGALOG: Ping: Dahil Itinanggi ng PNP, Illegal Data-Gathering Gamit ang Pondo ng NTF-ELCAC Itigil Na
Continue reading “Lacson: PNP Denial Should End Illegal Data-Gathering Using NTF-ELCAC Funds”
Bakit lalong nagiging lantaran ang pagkasangkot sa ilegal na droga ng ilang Tsino sa ating bansa? Gaano na sila katagal namamayagpag dito? May koneksyon ba sila sa pamahalaan?
Ito ang mga tanong na inilahad ni Senador Panfilo Lacson nitong Lunes kasabay ng pagsasabing dapat ay mahanapan ng solusyon ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) at Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), kasunod ng mga serye ng operasyon ng Philippine National Police (PNP) laban sa ilegal na droga.
“Salute to the PNP! More than these successful police operations, the DDB and PDEA should look deeper into the bold and imprudent behavior of these Chinese nationals to choose the Philippines as their base; how long they had been operating; their possible connections in government, etc.,” saad ni Lacson, na namuno sa PNP noong 1999 hanggang 2001, sa kanyang Twitter account.
Read in ENGLISH: Lacson to PDEA, DDB: Look Deeper into Chinese Nationals’ PH Drug Operations, Connections
Continue reading “Ping sa PDEA, DDB: Mas Malalim na Imbestigasyon sa Pagsangkot, ‘Connections’ ng Ilang Tsino sa Drug Operations sa Bansa”
Why are some Chinese nationals being bolder in their involvement in drug operations in the Philippines? How long have they been operating here? Do they have connections in government?
These are among the questions that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Dangerous Drugs Board should look into, after a series of anti-drug operations by the Philippine National Police, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said Monday.
“Salute to the PNP! More than these successful police operations, the DDB and PDEA should look deeper into the bold and imprudent behavior of these Chinese nationals to choose the Philippines as their base; how long they had been operating; their possible connections in government, etc.,” Lacson, who headed the PNP from 1999 to 2001, said in a post on his Twitter account.
Basahin sa TAGALOG: Ping sa PDEA, DDB: Mas Malalim na Imbestigasyon sa Pagsangkot, ‘Connections’ ng Ilang Tsino sa Drug Operations sa Bansa
Continue reading “Lacson to PDEA, DDB: Look Deeper into Chinese Nationals’ PH Drug Operations, Connections”
Dalawang malalakas na sampal ang tumama sa mga Pinoy sa panahon ng pandemya dahil sa mahigit na P63 bilyong hindi ginamit na pondo sa Bayanihan 2 – kasama ang P46.397 bilyon na “undisbursed” at P17.23 bilyong “unobligated,” ayon kay Senador Panfilo Lacson nitong Lunes.
Isiniwalat ito ni Lacson matapos ang pagsasaliksik ng mga naturang datos bunga ng unang akusasyon ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na sinabi umano ng mambabatas na mababa ang paggugol ng pamahalaan sa mga pondo nito ngayong pandemya.
“We should keep in mind that underspending is determined not by fund releases but by obligations and disbursements. And based on my research, is there underspending? Yes!” banggit ni Lacson sa panayam ng Radyo 5.
Read in ENGLISH: Double Whammy for Pandemic-Hit Filipinos: Lacson Details P63B ‘Unspent’ in Bayanihan 2
Continue reading “Kabilaang Sampal sa mga Pinoy na Hirap sa Pandemya: P63B ‘Underspending’ sa Bayanihan 2 Funds, Idinetalye ni Ping”
No thanks to a P63 billion-plus underspending by the government under Bayanihan 2 – with some P46.397 billion undisbursed and P17.273 billion unobligated – Filipinos whose lives and livelihoods were affected by the pandemic have been hit with a double whammy as much-needed aid did not reach them, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said on Monday.
Lacson said he arrived at the details when he researched the matter, after being wrongfully accused by President Rodrigo Duterte over the weekend of saying the government underspent.
“We should keep in mind that underspending is determined not by fund releases but by obligations and disbursements. And based on my research, is there underspending? Yes!” Lacson said in an interview on Radyo 5.
Basahin sa TAGALOG: Kabilaang Sampal sa mga Pinoy na Hirap sa Pandemya: P63B ‘Underspending’ sa Bayanihan 2 Funds, Idinetalye ni Ping
Continue reading “Double Whammy for Pandemic-Hit Filipinos: Lacson Details P63B ‘Unspent’ in Bayanihan 2”
The President got his information all mixed up. I am not the Senator who claimed there was underspending under the Bayanihan fund. I’m quite sure because I don’t have the data on the matter, and I don’t speak without basis. Some other legislators did.
My speech before the Rotary Club last Friday dealt with pre-pandemic budget underspending from 2017 to 2019, on the annual average of P331 billion against our yearly gross borrowings of almost P1 trillion during the same period. Nothing to do with Bayanihan.
With that said, I cannot emphasize enough the need for the proper spending of our limited resources, regardless of whether these are from the Bayanihan or not. Our national debt has ballooned to P11.07 trillion as of end-May. Each one of us, even those newly born, is in debt by P100,000. We must make sure taxpayers’ money will be used judiciously.
And at the risk of sounding like a broken record, there is no room to mix business and health, especially during a time of extreme emergency like the pandemic.
*****
Ang mabibigat na tanong na ito ang isiniwalat ni Senador Panfilo Lacson sa mga nagbabalak tumakbo sa pampanguluhang halalan sa 2022.
Hindi matatawaran ang bigat ng problema na patuloy na binubuno ng mga Pinoy kabilang na ang kalagayan ng Bulkang Taal, bukod pa sa mga nauna at hanggang ngayon ay mga problema tulad ng mga epekto ng pandemya, ayon kay Lacson.
“On the one hand, you have to make sure you are in the conversation and be in a position to win in the first place. But more importantly, you have to get a firm grasp of the problems besetting the country because what if you win, and you’re unprepared to face the problems? These are two equally important questions you have to ask yourself,” banggit ni Lacson sa panayam ng DZRH radio.
Read in ENGLISH: Lacson Poses 2 Critical Questions for Serious Job of Leading 110M Filipinos
Continue reading “Ping sa Pagtakbo bilang Presidente: Paano Manalo? At Paano Kung Manalo?”
Paano manalo? At paano kung manalo?
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson on Friday posed these two critical questions to those wanting to lead at least 110 million Filipinos in 2022.
Lacson also stressed the seriousness of the problems facing the country, with the situation at Taal Volcano adding to the list.
“On the one hand, you have to make sure you are in the conversation and be in a position to win in the first place. But more importantly, you have to get a firm grasp of the problems besetting the country because what if you win, and you’re unprepared to face the problems? These are two equally important questions you have to ask yourself,” Lacson said in an interview on DZRH radio.
Basahin sa TAGALOG: Ping sa Pagtakbo bilang Presidente: Paano Manalo? At Paano Kung Manalo?
Continue reading “Lacson Poses 2 Critical Questions for Serious Job of Leading 110M Filipinos”
Huwag nang mag-aksaya ng panahon para patulan, i-report, at i-block.
Ito ang pansamantala subali’t epektibong tip na ibinabahagi ni Senador Panfilo Lacson sa mga lehitimong netizens habang naghihintay sa magiging aksiyon ng Facebook at iba pang social media platforms sa patuloy na paglala ng problema sa troll farms.
“We know trolls are financially and emotionally fueled by agitating and getting a response from their targets. Denying them that fuel is a good first step,” mariing pahayag ni Lacson na personal na nakakaranas ng pag-atake ng trolls sa social media.
Read in ENGLISH: Lacson Shares Tips to Thwart Social Media Trolls
Continue reading “Tips Pangontra sa Trolls, Inilabas ni Ping”
Resist the urge to engage them, report them, and block them.
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said this is the three-point habit that ordinary Filipinos can develop against internet trolls, while waiting for Facebook and other social media platforms to crack down on them.
“We know trolls are financially and emotionally fueled by agitating and getting a response from their targets. Denying them that fuel is a good first step,” said Lacson, who has also encountered and dealt with trolls on social media.
Basahin sa TAGALOG: Tips Pangontra sa Trolls, Inilabas ni Ping
Continue reading “Lacson Shares Tips to Thwart Social Media Trolls”
Para sa maluwag na paggalaw ng mga umuuwing overseas Filipino workers (OFW) at pagpanumbalik ng masiglang ekonomiya ng bansa.
Ito ang dalawang mahahalagang puntos na idiniin ni Senador Panfilo Lacson sa pagsuporta at pag-apela sa National Task Force Against COVID-19 na pabilisin ang pagpapatupad ng standard quarantine protocols sa mga Pinoy na nabakunahan na rito sa Pilipinas at sa ibang bansa.
Ayon kay Lacson, hindi na makakapaghintay pa ang ekonomiya kaya’t ito ay dapat nang pabilisin sa pamamagitan ng mas pinagaang na sistema ng paggalaw ng mga ganap nang nabakunahan laban sa COVID-19.
“Please make it sooner, not later. Mind the economy for a change,” panawagan ni Lacson sa kanyang Twitter account.
Read in ENGLISH: Lacson: Fast-Track Standard Quarantine Protocols to Benefit OFWs, Economy
Continue reading “Agarang Implementasyon ng Standard Quarantine Protocols, Apela ni Ping”
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson pushed for the fast-tracking of standard quarantine protocols for vaccinated Filipinos, to benefit not just returning overseas Filipino workers but also our economy.
As he threw his full support behind the National Task Force Against COVID-19’s move to draw up standard quarantine protocols for Filipinos vaccinated here and abroad, Lacson said economic recovery cannot afford to wait.
“Please make it sooner, not later. Mind the economy for a change,” he said in a post on his Twitter account.
Basahin sa TAGALOG: Agarang Implementasyon ng Standard Quarantine Protocols, Apela ni Ping
Continue reading “Lacson: Fast-Track Standard Quarantine Protocols to Benefit OFWs, Economy”
Mapipigilan ang hate crimes na bumiktima sa mga Pinoy sa abroad sa pamamagitan ng mas pinaigting na presensiya ng mga pulis sa mga lugar ng mga ito.
Ito ang nakikitang solusyon at pagsuporta na rin ni Senador Panfilo Lacson, dating Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, sa panawagan ng opisyal ng pamahalaan sa ibayong dagat upang maawat ang patuloy na pagdami ng mga Pinoy na dinadahas doon.
Una nang hiniling ni Consul General to New York Elmer Cato ang mas pinaigting na presensiya ng pulisya sa mga lugar sa Estados Unidos bunga ng umiinit na anti-Asian hate, kung saan pinakahuling insidente ang naganap sa isang Pinay na consular officer sa New York.
Ayon kay Lacson, malaki ang maitutulong ng presensiya ng mga awtoridad para sa proteksiyon ng mga Pinoy hindi lamang sa US kundi sa iba pang panig ng mundo na kinaroroonan ng mga ito.
Related: Lacson: Greater Police Presence Needed vs Hate Incidents vs Filipinos Abroad
Continue reading “Ping: Pinaigting na Presensiya ng mga Pulis, Tulong sa mga Pinoy Abroad vs Hate Crimes”
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson on Sunday backed calls for increased police presence to prevent further incidents of anti-Asian hate in the United States, following the latest incident where a Filipina consular officer was verbally assaulted in New York.
Lacson supported Consul General Elmer Cato’s calls for increased police presence especially in the subways; and for Filipinos to report hate crimes to the Consulate or via 911 if they witness or become victims themselves of such crimes.
“Based on accounts initially cited by Consul General to New York Elmer Cato, there have been at least 14 hate incidents involving members of the Filipino community so far this year, counting the latest incident. This is disturbing and has to stop,” said Lacson, who chairs the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the Commission on Appointments.
Related: Ping: Pinaigting na Presensiya ng mga Pulis, Tulong sa mga Pinoy Abroad vs Hate Crimes
Continue reading “Lacson: Greater Police Presence Needed vs Hate Incidents vs Filipinos Abroad”
Pagtiyak ng pagbabakuna ng publiko laban sa pandemya, at pagkayod pa ng gobyerno para masiguradong sapat ang bakuna at wasto ang pagpapatupad ng vaccination program para matamo ang herd immunity.
Ito ang suhestyon ni Senador Panfilo Lacson para malampasan ng bayan ang pandemya at ang epekto nito sa kabuhayan ng mga Pilipino.
“The best way out of this pandemic is for our people to ‘get the jab done’ and our government to ‘get the job done,’” mensahe ni Lacson sa pamamagitan ng kanyang Twitter account nitong Huwebes.
Related: Lacson Pushes Formula vs Pandemic: Get the Jab Done, Get the Job Done
Continue reading “Simple, Epektibong Tugon vs Pandemya Inilatag ni Ping”
Our people must get the jab done, but our government must get the job done.
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said this is the formula for the Philippines to get out of the COVID-19 pandemic – with the government continuing to find ways to improve the implementation of the vaccination program, and people trusting that vaccines can protect them.
“The best way out of this pandemic is for our people to ‘get the jab done’ and our government to ‘get the job done,’” he said on his Twitter account on Thursday.
Related: Simple, Epektibong Tugon vs Pandemya Inilatag ni Ping
Continue reading “Lacson Pushes Formula vs Pandemic: Get the Jab Done, Get the Job Done”
Sagradong obligasyon at tungkulin ang pagtakbo bilang Pangulo gaya lamang ng pagpili ng mga botante ng kanilang iboboto, kaya dapat na seryoso muna itong pinag-iisipan at pinaglalaanan ng panahon bago maglabas ng desisyon.
Ayon kay Senador Panfilo Lacson, kasama sa mga unang dapat na ginagawa ng nagbabalak na sumabak sa pampanguluhang halalan ay ang pagkonsulta sa mga dalubhasa para sa responsibilidad na papasukin na kailangang sabayan din ng pagmulat sa mga botante na maging higit na responsable sa pagpili ng iboboto.
“To me, the decision to go for it is as sacred as going to the poll booth to vote. Since the vote is sacred, there is a bigger responsibility on the part of potential leaders to decide – and prepare – to be a leader of this country,” paliwanag ni Lacson.
Ipinaalala ng mambabatas na ang mga lider ang tinitingnan ng mga tao bilang ehemplo.
Related: Lacson: Going for Presidency a Sacred Duty
Continue reading “Ping: Sagradong Tungkulin ang Pagpi-Presidente, Kaya Pinag-Iisipang Mabuti”
Deciding to run for the presidency is a sacred duty that should be taken as seriously as going to the poll booth to vote, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said Tuesday.
Lacson said those who decide to run for the top post should prepare for the job by consulting experts in various fields, while helping the electorate become more mature.
“To me, the decision to go for it is as sacred as going to the poll booth to vote. Since the vote is sacred, there is a bigger responsibility on the part of potential leaders to decide – and prepare – to be a leader of this country,” he said.
“Our people’s lives depend on it. Tiktok, photo-ops and lip service cannot solve our country’s enormous problems,” he added.
Related: Ping: Sagradong Tungkulin ang Pagpi-Presidente, Kaya Pinag-Iisipang Mabuti
Continue reading “Lacson: Going for Presidency a Sacred Duty”
“Big time congrats to our very own Yuka Saso for winning the 76th US Women’s Open golf championship. Proud to be Filipino!”
Hindi kandidatura ang pinakaimportanteng dapat na paghandaan ng isang nagnanais na mamuno sa bansa, dahil bago niya ito isipin ay kailangan munang mahanap niya ang solusyon sa mga mabibigat na problema ng responsibilidad na papasukin.
Ayon kay Lacson, ang tunay na mabigat na trabaho ay hindi sa kampanya kundi pagkatapos nito dahil haharapin ng bagong pinuno ang ga-higante na problema tulad ng pambansang utang, kawalan ng hanapbuhay at patuloy na katiwalian.
“It’s not about prestige or being part of history as being the President of the country. The more important thing is to ask yourself if you can solve the country’s problems. Ang importante: Kaya ba, at may solusyon ba?” banggit ng mambabagtas sa panayam ng DWIZ radio.
“There is also a need to seek the advice and ideas of economic experts and other experienced persons to find solutions – short-, middle- and long-term – to confront and address the problems aggravated by the pandemic,” he added.
Related: Lacson: Next Leader Should Prepare Solutions, Not Just Candidacy
Continue reading “Ping: Bukod sa Kandidatura, Susunod na Lider Dapat Solusyunan mga Problema ng Bansa”
More than just deciding to file his or her candidacy and get elected, the next leader must also be prepared to deal with the humongous problems besetting the country, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said.
Lacson said the real hard work comes not in the campaign but after it, with the next President facing “overwhelming” problems that include a ballooning national debt, unemployment and continued corruption.
“It’s not about prestige or being part of history as being the President of the country. The more important thing is to ask yourself if you can solve the country’s problems. Ang importante: Kaya ba, at may solusyon ba?” he said in an interview on DWIZ radio.
“There is also a need to seek the advice and ideas of economic experts and other experienced persons to find solutions – short-, middle- and long-term – to confront and address the problems aggravated by the pandemic,” he added.
Related: Ping: Bukod sa Kandidatura, Susunod na Lider Dapat Solusyunan mga Problema ng Bansa
Continue reading “Lacson: Next Leader Should Prepare Solutions, Not Just Candidacy”
Ipinaabot ni Senador Panfilo Lacson sa Estados Unidos ang kanyang maagang pasasalamat matapos na ibilang ang Pilipinas sa mga uunahing bigyan ng bakuna sa ilalim ng COVID vaccine-sharing strategy nito.
Tinukoy ng mambabatas bilang indikasyon ng pagkakaibigan ang pagkakalahok ng Estados Unidos sa Pilipinas sa mga mauunang pagkalooban ng bahagi ng unang 25 milyon na doses ng bakuna.
“Thank you. We won’t forget this gesture of friendship. Unless World Health Organization protocols are too strict on vaccine donations, it would be better if it’s done bilaterally instead of through COVAX. Our people need the vaccines ASAP,” banggit ni Lacson sa kanyang Twitter account.
Related: Lacson Thanks US for Prioritizing PH in Vaccine-Sharing
Continue reading “Ping sa US: Salamat Kasama Kami sa Mauuna sa Bakuna”
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson thanked the United States government on Friday for making the Philippines one of the first beneficiaries of its COVID vaccine-sharing strategy.
Lacson described as a “gesture of friendship” the inclusion of the Philippines in the US’ list of recipients of the first 25 million doses to be shared.
But he also suggested that this be done bilaterally if possible to make sure Filipinos get the vaccines sooner, even as he pushed for greater efforts by our government to enhance people’s trust in the vaccines.
“Thank you. We won’t forget this gesture of friendship. Unless World Health Organization protocols are too strict on vaccine donations, it would be better if it’s done bilaterally instead of through COVAX. Our people need the vaccines ASAP,” Lacson said on his Twitter account.
“Meanwhile, our government needs to continue enhancing our people’s trust in the vaccines, especially those who remain reluctant to get their jabs done. Our people should be convinced of the truth that getting inoculated can save their lives as well as those of their loved ones – and pay no mind to the disinformation and conspiracy theories,” he added.
Related: Ping sa US: Salamat Kasama Kami sa Mauuna sa Bakuna
Continue reading “Lacson Thanks US for Prioritizing PH in Vaccine-Sharing”
Sailing into the sea is the easiest decision to make. Not knowing how rough the water is the dangerous part. Measuring one’s skills in steering the boat is a big responsibility especially when people’s lives depend on it. Best to think long and hard. It is not a game or a joke.
This applies to everyone, actually. Consider the following:
* Outstanding national debt of P10.774 trillion as of March 2021, ballooning to P10.991 trillion as of April 2021
* 3.44 million Filipinos out of jobs as of March 2021
* Shortfall in revenue collections, with revenues at P2.84 trillion already including non-tax revenues like dividends, fees, etc., compared to the original target of P3.25 trillion, based on the Development Budget Coordination Committee’s 2019 projections for the 2020 General Appropriations Act.
Then there’s the continued uncertainty of the pandemic situation in the country and the whole world, not to mention a whole lot of other problems that will confront the next administration like the West Philippine Sea, illegal drugs, corruption and even issues surrounding the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and God knows what else.
*****
“Antipolo City 2nd District Representative Resurreccion M. Acop M.D., RIP: Not minding her own health, she got infected with Covid 19, serving and treating the less fortunate souls in her district and even beyond. Heaven must have rolled out the red carpet for her.”
While arresting those responsible and filing the appropriate charges against them would be a good start, authorities can take a much bigger step by accelerating the vaccination process by making it more efficient.
Although the 15-minute post-vaccination monitoring of newly vaccinated people should be retained as part of the health protocols, many doctors say that the pre-screening should be done away with because that is the main cause of clogging.
Meanwhile, the forms that vaccine recipients are required to fill up should take care of issues like hypertension and allergies, so why is there still a need to examine their blood pressure? Many whose blood pressures will be taken run a higher risk getting infected. Doon pa nahahawa sa pila dahil papalit-palit ang pawis sa mga braso ng mga magkakasunod na kinukunan.
Similarly, the authorities concerned should further trim the process by making sure recipients who have to fill up numerous forms when registering online are not made to fill up redundant forms onsite. This is aside from making the questions more understandable.
That being said, the question remains: Can the greed of some Filipinos ever be moderated, let alone cured? While the pandemic is driving up hunger to record-high levels, it has created new billionaires who only have greed as their capital amid the worst health crisis of our lifetime.
Hindi lang ito dahil sa desperation. Meron pa rin talagang mga ganid at sagad sa buto ang kasamaan na wala nang pinipiling panahon at sitwasyon para magpayaman sa pagsasamantala.
*****
It is not a new and unique practice. One reason why the vaccination program in other countries, particularly the United States, has become highly successful is that recipients of the vaccines are only informed of the brand of the vaccine once they are already on site and ready to get inoculated.
There is no saying that the choice of the brand is totally disregarded, but those who refuse the vaccine immediately available will have to fall out of line and wait for their preferred brand.
Also, some health experts have pointed out the best vaccine is the one available. Besides, clinical trials are a continuing process so no one can really conclude with finality which vaccine brand is better than the other.
That being said, more efforts must be made to assure the public of the benefits of vaccination amid the pandemic. Libre ito, manggaling man sa gobyerno, LGUs o mga korporasyon bilang kawanggawa sa kanilang mga empleyado at pamilya. Magpabakuna na tayo!
*****
Bago manghuli ng mga pasaway, dapat ay masigurado muna ng mga awtoridad na lahat ng mamamayan, lalo ang mga walang pambili, ay mapagkalooban ng libreng face mask.
Ito ang ipinanawagan ni Senador Panfilo Lacson upang matiyak na lahat ay hindi magkakaroon ng dahilan para hindi magsuot ng face mask, maging ang mga mahihirap na ultimo pangkain ay pinoproblema kung saan hahagilapin.
“Before implementing the arrest order issued against Filipinos not wearing masks, it is but fair and just for the government to provide to those who don’t have the money to buy them,” banggit ni Lacson sa pamamagitan ng kanyang Twitter account.
Related: Lacson: Give Poor Face Masks First Before Arresting Them
Continue reading “Ping: Bigyan Muna ng Face Mask ang Mga Walang Pambili Bago Manghuli ng Pasaway”
It is only fair that poor Filipinos who cannot afford face masks deserve a chance to obey the rules first before they get arrested.
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson stressed this Wednesday amid President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to authorities to arrest those not wearing face masks properly.
“Before implementing the arrest order issued against Filipinos not wearing masks, it is but fair and just for the government to provide to those who don’t have the money to buy them,” Lacson said in a post on his Twitter account.
Related: Ping: Bigyan Muna ng Face Mask ang Mga Walang Pambili Bago Manghuli ng Pasaway
Continue reading “Lacson: Give Poor Face Masks First Before Arresting Them”
Senate President Vicente Sotto III and I had a good meeting with the three czars of the government’s COVID response Thursday night to discuss red tape issues and the funding needs hounding the country’s fight against COVID. We met with vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., testing czar Vivencio Dizon, and contact tracing czar Benjamin Magalong.
Among the topics we discussed were:
Continue reading “On the Meeting with the ‘3 Czars’ of COVID Response”
Hindi maabuso ng National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) ang bilyun-bilyong pisong pondong inilaan ng gobyerno sa pagpapaunlad sa mga komunidad na nalinis na mula sa impluwensiya ng New People’s Army (NPA).
Ito ang tugon ni Senate Committee on National Defense Chairman Panfilo Lacson sa mga mambabatas na nagnanais na tanggalan ng pondo ang NTF-ELCAC, kasabay ng pagsasabing mga lokal na pamahalaan (LGU) ang mangangasiwa sa paggastos sa mga ito para sa mga proyektong pangkaunlaran.
Nasa P9.699 bilyon na mula sa kabuuang P16.4 bilyon ang nailalabas na pondo para sa pagpapaunlad ng mga barangay na nalinis na sa dating pamamayagpag at impluwensiya ng nabanggit na grupo.
“Being the sponsor of the NTF-ELCAC’s 2021 budget, it is my obligation and responsibility to defend the Department of Budget and Management’s release of funds which will be implemented not by the NTF-ELCAC but by the local government units concerned,” paliwanag ni Lacson na siya ring sponsor ng gastusin ng Department of National Defense (DND) at mga ahensiya nito para sa kasalukuyang taon.
Related: Lacson: No Way Can NTF-ELCAC Abuse Funds for NPA-Cleared Barangays
Continue reading “Ping: Pondo ng NTF-ELCAC sa NPA-Cleared Barangays, LGUs ang Mangangasiwa”
Some P9.699 billion has been released so far for the development of barangays that have been cleared of the influence of the New People’s Army (NPA), but this – or the full P16.4-billion allocation for 2021 – cannot be “abused” by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said.
Lacson gave this assurance to fellow lawmakers who are asking to defund NTF-ELCAC, even as he stressed the amount would eventually be released to the local government units that will implement the development projects.
“Being the sponsor of the NTF-ELCAC’s 2021 budget, it is my obligation and responsibility to defend the Department of Budget and Management’s release of funds which will be implemented not by the NTF-ELCAC but by the local government units concerned,” said Lacson, who chairs the Senate’s Committee on National Defense and who sponsored the budget of the Department of National Defense (DND) and its attached agencies for 2021.
Related: Ping: Pondo ng NTF-ELCAC sa NPA-Cleared Barangays, LGUs ang Mangangasiwa
Continue reading “Lacson: No Way Can NTF-ELCAC Abuse Funds for NPA-Cleared Barangays”
Ito ang nagtatakang tanong ni Senador Panfilo Lacson bunga ng patuloy na pangangamkam sa sakop ng teritoryo ng Pilipinas, pang-aagrabyado at pagkibit-balikat ng China sa mga protestang inihahain ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) dahil sa mga ginagawa nito sa West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Bunga ng mga naturang pangyayari, iminungkahi ni Lacson, chairman ng Senate Committee on National Defense, na muling pasadahan ang mga nilalaman ng diplomatic ties ng dalawang bansa.
Sa kanyang Twitter post, nanawagan din ang mambabatas sa mga kasamahang senador na suportahan si DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. sa pagpalag nito sa isa sa pinakahuling ginawa ng China sa mga Pinoy na nasa WPS.
“Maybe a review of the country’s diplomatic relations is timely and called for. All the diplomatic protests that the Secretary of Foreign Affairs filed have been ignored as if nothing was filed at all. The continued incursions and bullying finally got his goat. The Senate must support him in this regard,” banggit ni Lacson.
Related: Lacson Pushes Review of PH-China Diplomatic Ties
Continue reading “Ping: Anong Klaseng Kaibigan ang China?”
