Tag: Ralph Recto

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Lacson Pushes Decisive, ‘Extreme’ Measures to Shield Filipinos From Rising Fuel Costs

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Sunday called for decisive – and even “extreme” – government intervention to shield Filipinos from the relentless surge in petroleum prices.

Lacson stressed the government must also disclose its actions against “early” profiteers, noting that any relief from a potential excise tax suspension may not be felt until June — if at all.

He likewise underscored the need to ensure the proper use of some P230 billion in potential funds from the 2025 and 2026 General Appropriations Acts (GAA) to help sectors hit hardest by the fuel crisis.

“May mga batas na pwedeng gamitin ang provision ng mga batas na ito dahil may state of energy emergency. Ngayon kung paano i-implement yan, at kailan gagamitin, kailan i-implement at paano i-implement, yan ang mas importante (We have laws that can be implemented now that there is a state of national energy emergency. What is more important is how and when it will implement these),” he said in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson, Itinulak ang Mahigpit na Hakbang para Pangalagaan ang mga Pilipino vs Tumataas na Presyo ng Langis

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Lacson Pushes Shorter Time to Act on Excise Fuel Taxes

Citing the “extraordinary” circumstances caused by the war in Iran, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday pushed for a shorter time for the President before suspending – or restoring – the excise tax on fuel upon the recommendation of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC).

Lacson suggested to reduce the period to average the Dubai crude oil price based on Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) from the present one month to two weeks before suspending excise taxes, so consumers can immediately feel some relief from rising fuel costs.

“With all due respect, two weeks is not irrelevant. It has a big effect on consumers. Ang two weeks na matitipid mo sa pagkarga ng gas, malaking bagay yan (With all due respect, a two-week difference is not irrelevant. It has a big effect on consumers. Two weeks where they can save on fuel prices is a big deal),” he said during his interpellation of Senate Bill 1982, allowing the automatic suspension or reduction of excise tax on petroleum products.

In Filipino: Lacson, Isinulong ang Mas Maikling Panahon para Aksyunan sa Excise Fuel Taxes

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Lacson Emphasizes Issue-Based Approach with Senate Colleagues

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Thursday emphasized the importance of keeping discussions with Senate colleagues focused on issues.

Lacson said he has no problem supporting fellow senators on certain matters and disagreeing on others, so long as they maintain mutual respect and keep the debates professional.

“We don’t have problems with each other because we are focused on issues, though it is sad when the exchanges become personal. But that is how it is in the Senate – we may have clashing opinions at times, but it does not affect the way we tackle issues,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

“We should have no problem with this approach, provided we make sure things don’t get foul or personal,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Iginiit ang Issue-Based na Pakikipag-ugnayan sa Kapwa Senador

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Lacson: Briefly Reenacted 2025 Budget Better than Rushed, Corruption-Prone 2026 Budget

A briefly reenacted 2025 budget would be preferable to rushing the passage of the 2026 version only to find it unresponsive to the needs of the times – or worse, prone to corruption, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson said this after Executive Secretary Ralph Recto was quoted as saying President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is to sign the P6.793-trillion budget for 2026 in the first week of January, meaning a reenacted budget for a few days.

He also reiterated that the key, even after the budget is finally signed into law, should still be continued vigilance in monitoring, reporting, and even shaming wrongdoing in government.

“This is exactly what I said earlier – better a reenacted budget in January, or even in the first quarter of 2026, than rushing the passage of a national budget that is not responsive to the call of the times, amidst the yet unresolved investigations on the misuse and abuse of the current and previous expenditure programs, particularly involving flood control projects,” said Lacson, a long-time watchdog of the national budget.

In Filipino: Lacson: Panandaliang Reenacted 2025 Budget, Mas Mainam kaysa Minadali at Corruption-Prone na 2026 Budget

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Lacson: P118.5B Economic Loss from Ghost Flood Projects a Bigger Crime if Culprits Remain Unpunished

It’s bad enough that the economy has lost some P118.5 billion due to ghost flood control projects since 2023, but the much bigger crime is letting the culprits remain unpunished, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson was referring to estimates cited by Department of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto indicating the ghost flood control projects cost the economy P118.5 billion or the equivalent of up to 266,000 jobs.

“With the DOF’s mind-boggling estimated economic loss of P118.5 billion due to ‘ghost’ flood control projects, if those responsible go unpunished, the government may be committing a bigger crime against the Filipino people,” Lacson said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: P118.5B Luging Dulot ng Ghost Flood Projects, Mas Malaking Krimen Kung Walang Mananagot

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