Lacson: Senate Leadership Change was ‘Ugly’ Regardless of Political Side

Regardless of what one’s political side or persuasion may be, the leadership change at the Senate on Monday was ugly, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson said that while he understood the reason for the now-majority’s surprise move, the accompanying drama – including Sen. Ronald dela Rosa’s claim of being pursued and “wrestled” by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) – was an unpleasant sight.

He also said Sen. Lorna Regina Legarda, who replaced him as Senate President Pro Tempore after Monday’s leadership change, could have at least informed the then majority, or then Senate President Vicente Sotto III, of her decision.

“Any way you look at it, regardless of your political persuasion, what happened on Monday was ugly. It was an unpleasant sight,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: ‘Pangit’ ang Leadership Change sa Senado, Anuman ang Panig sa Pulitika

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Lacson to Oppose Motions to Halt Convening of Senate as Impeachment Court

If such a situation arises, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is prepared to oppose and vote against any motion to stop or delay the Senate’s convening as an impeachment court for the possible case of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Lacson also stressed that the Constitution and its legal mechanisms are in place to address any possible issues related to a potential impeachment trial, including moves to block the Senate from convening as an impeachment court.

“For context, I did not say I will not oppose and vote against any motion to stop or delay the convening of the Senate into an impeachment court, if it comes to that. That said, the Senate is a collegial, deliberative body that is always ruled by the vote of the majority,” he said in a post on X.

“If this constitutional issue arises, the Supreme Court may intervene to compel the Senate to perform our constitutional duty,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Tututulan ang Mosyong Pipigil sa Pag-Convene ng Senado Bilang Impeachment Court

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Lacson Calls Out Marcoleta for ‘Deliberately’ Avoiding Denying Handwritten Note on P500M Allocables

He cried foul, yet stopped short of denying that he sought P500 million in “allocables” from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson thus called out Sen. Rodante Marcoleta Friday over his privilege speech protesting his inclusion in a presentation linking lawmakers to allocables, which Lacson had branded as the new pork barrel.

“He ‘deliberately’ missed the most important reaction: deny or refute the handwritten note (c/o Cong Marcoleta) on the document as presented,” Lacson said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Marcoleta, ‘Sinasadyang’ Iwasan na Pabulaanan ang Handwritten Note sa P500M “Allocables”

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Lacson: Blue Ribbon to Transmit Evidence to Ombudsman, DOJ

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is to transmit to the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman the evidence it has so far gathered in its investigation into the flood control mess, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Panel Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson said the pieces of evidence – including documents, testimonies and transcripts – are now a matter of public record after he cited them in his privilege speech Tuesday.

“Moving forward, I ordered the preparation of a transmittal letter to the Office of the Ombudsman to give all pieces of evidence – documentary, testimonial, and transcripts. It is now a matter of public record as I cited them in my privilege speech,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino at the Kapihan sa Senado forum.

In Filipino: Lacson: Blue Ribbon, Ipapasa Na ang Ebidensya sa Ombudsman, DOJ

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Lacson: Romualdez Should Have Heeded Blue Ribbon Invitations to Refute Budget ‘Mangling’ Allegations

Former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez should have heeded invitations to attend the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s hearings last November and January to refute allegations linking him to the “mangling” of the 2025 budget, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson said the committee issued at least two official invitations to Romualdez to testify on the budget controversy, which has been linked to anomalous flood control projects and other irregularities.

“The Blue Ribbon Committee gave the former speaker at least two chances through official invitations to testify under oath and public scrutiny to what may be his strong argument against allegations of masterminding the ‘mangling beyond recognition’ of the 2025 national budget during the bicameral conference, which he now claims to have been made by only two people – then SP (Senate President Francis) Chiz Escudero and ex Cong and House Appropriations Chairman (Elizaldy) Zaldy Co,” Lacson said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Dapat Sinunod ni Romualdez ang Mga Imbitasyon ng Blue Ribbon para Sagutin ang Alegasyon sa Pagkalikot sa 2025 Badyet

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