Tag: Privilege Speeches

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Lacson: Gov’t Flood Control Gains ‘Found Wanting,’ But BRC Probe Drove Action

The government’s accomplishments in addressing the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects are found “wanting” a year after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Mahiya naman kayo” challenge in his State of the Nation (SONA), Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said.

Lacson said that without the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s probe under his watch, the determination of Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla and the outrage from media and the public, the government would have little to show on the matter.

“Tinimbang nguni’t kulang. Without sounding immodest or arrogant, if not for the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation during my watch, which was preceded by my two privilege speeches, where we unearthed material pieces of evidence, both documentary and testimonial; and without the firm determination and resoluteness of Ombudsman Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla, I don’t know how the government can even claim whatever accomplishments we have at the moment, or one year after that SONA ‘Mahiya naman kayo’ remark,” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson: Kampanya ng Gobyerno sa Flood Control Scandal ‘Tinimbang Ngunit Kulang’

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Lacson: Flood Control Probe Can’t be ‘Blocked’ because Public Won’t Forget

Efforts to keep the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s findings on the flood control scandal from reaching the public will fail because the public won’t forget the issue, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson said this is why he has scheduled a privilege speech next week to present his Chairman’s Progress Report – after the panel’s partial report still could not get enough signatures to reach the plenary.

“Our people are angry and will not forget the issue. It will take decades before the issue is gone from the public’s memory. I called the flood control scandal ‘Napoles 2’ but this is much worse and it’s no laughing matter,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

“As Blue Ribbon Chairman I owe it to the Filipino people to update them on what happened after seven to eight hearings. This is because many are not updated and especially because there are false narratives being spread that we are covering up for some persons and targeting others. And another compelling reason is that the partial committee report’s contents have been overtaken by events,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Tangkang ‘Harangin’ ang Imbestigasyon sa Flood Control Mabibigo Dahil Hindi Ito Malilimutan ng Publiko

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Lacson: CA May Be Held Liable for Falsifying Records in ‘Amending’ Marcoleta’s ‘Give Up KIG’ Remarks

The Commission on Appointments (CA) could possibly be held liable for violating the law if it amends the minutes of its Feb. 4 hearing that included Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s “give up the Kalayaan Island Group” remarks, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson said Article 170 of the Revised Penal Code provides penalties for the falsification of legislative documents, adding this was why he cautioned against this during his privilege speech in the Senate last March 10.

“Falsification of legislative records is punishable under Art. 170 of the Revised Penal Code. That is why we must carefully study the legal implications. As of now, Marcoleta’s motion to amend his remarks is still pending,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

“I have relayed this concern to Senate President Vicente Sotto III because he is also the CA chairman. We must be careful lest we be charged with falsification of legislative records and be implicated as co-conspirators because we approved the amendment,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: CA Posibleng Panagutin sa Falsification of Records sa ‘Pag-amyenda’ sa ‘Give Up KIG’ Remarks ni Marcoleta

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Privilege Speech on the Claims of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta

Mr. President, distinguished Majority Leader, thank you for allowing me to have the floor on a matter of personal and collective privilege.

Much as I would like to abide by what my elders had taught me that “silence is the best response to nonsense,” I am constrained to take the floor to set the record straight and correct the prevarications spewed on this very floor by one of our colleagues, namely Senator Rodante Marcoleta. While in his two recent privilege speeches, he mostly referred to this representation as the “BRC Chairman,” in my manifestation today, I will refer to him by his name.

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On the ‘Believability’ of Ex-Soldiers’ Cash Delivery Story: Privilege Speech on the 18 ‘ex-Marines’

Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I rise today on a matter of personal and collective privilege.

As chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, I have been subject of criticisms for not scheduling the 18 ex-military personnel who faced the media in an organized press conference at the historic Club Filipino on the eve of the 40th (anniversary of the) EDSA People Power Revolution to be called and testify before your Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations.

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