Tag: Rodante Marcoleta

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Lacson Calls Out Lie on Guteza’s Supposed Custody Under Marines

How much more fakery can we take?

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson raised this question Thursday as he called out the false claim that former T/Sgt. Orly Guteza is under the custody of the Philippine Marines.

Lacson said a verification with Philippine Marines commandant Maj. Gen. Vincent Blanco III showed Guteza was never under the Marines’ custody, contrary to the claim of ex-Rep. Michael Defensor.

“As per verification made with the Marine Commandant, MGen Vince Blanco (PMA Cl ‘91), through fellow cavaliers, Guteza is not and has never been under their custody. How much more fakery can we take?” Lacson said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson, Pinuna ang Kasinungalingan sa Umano’y Nasa Kustodiya ng Marines si Guteza

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Lacson: Why Did Ex-DPWH Chief Bonoan Take Project ‘Memos’ from ‘Outsiders’?

Why did ex-Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Sec. Manuel Bonoan receive handwritten “memos” from civilians or non-organic DPWH personnel on which projects to endorse when he headed the department?

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson bared this Tuesday as the Senate continues to look into the effects of corruption behind anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects.

“I am baffled by the documents I saw, where Bonoan received handwritten memos that turned out to be from civilians or non-organic DPWH personnel. How did these memos, which were scribbled on Post-It notes, get to Bonoan?” Lacson said in Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

“That’s the hard part. Such communications didn’t go through the official channels of the department. Why is the secretary dealing with them directly?” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Ex-DPWH Chief Bonoan Tumanggap ng mga “Memo” Mula sa Tagalabas?

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Lacson: Next Blue Ribbon Hearing on Nov. 14; ‘Very Important Witness’ to be Invited

Should he be reelected as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee when the Senate resumes session on Nov. 10, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson will set the panel’s next hearing on anomalous flood control projects on Nov. 14.

Lacson said a “very important witness” will be invited to the hearing to speed up the filing of airtight cases against some politicians, Department of Public Works and Highways officials and erring contractors.

He added retired T/Sgt. Orly Guteza will also be invited to the next hearing.

“If elected again as Blue Ribbon chairman on Nov 10, our hearing will resume on Nov 14. To help speed up the filing of airtight cases against some politicians, DPWH officials and errant contractors, we will invite among others, a ‘very important witness’ and retired T/Sgt Orly Guteza to shed more light on his ‘sinumpaang salaysay,'” he said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Susunod na Blue Ribbon Hearing sa Nob. 14; ‘Very Important Witness’ Imbitado

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Lacson Stepping Aside as Blue Ribbon Chairman, But Will Continue Anti-Corruption Drive

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is stepping aside as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, after some colleagues aired their disappointment over the investigation into anomalous flood control projects.

But Lacson – who noted that all Senate committee chairpersons including the Blue Ribbon are elected by fellow senators and thus serve at the pleasure of their peers – maintained that this will not stop his continuing fight against corruption.

“Since all chairpersons of the Senate committees are elected by our peers, I serve at the pleasure of my colleagues, particularly the members of the majority. Rightly or wrongly, when quite a number of them have expressed disappointment over how I’m handling the flood control project anomalies, I thought it’s time for me to step aside in favor of another member who they think can handle the committee better,” Lacson said.

“No amount of criticisms from misinformed netizens and partisan sectors can distract or pressure me from doing my job right, but when my own peers start expressing their group or individual sentiments, maybe it is best to vacate. Nevertheless, I will continue to fight a corrupt and rotten system in the misuse and abuse of public funds as I have consistently done in the course of my long years in public service,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson Magbibitiw Bilang Blue Ribbon Chairman, Ngunit Ipagpapatuloy ang Laban Kontra Katiwalian

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Lacson: Manila RTC May Help Crack Mystery of Guteza’s Affidavit

The Manila Regional Trial Court can help solve the mystery behind the controversial affidavit of Orly Guteza, the “surprise witness” at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing last Thursday, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday evening.

Lacson, who chairs the Blue Ribbon Committee, noted that part of the function of the RTC’s executive judge – Carolina Icasiano Sison – is to look into violations involving notarized documents within its jurisdiction.

“The Manila RTC can help unravel the mystery behind the now (in)famous Guteza affidavit since part of the executive judge’s function is to investigate violations relating to notarized documents within its jurisdiction. Was he just made to sign a prepared affidavit that he read during the committee hearing, and by whom?” Lacson posted on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Makatutulong ang Manila RTC sa Paglutas sa Misteryo ng Affidavit ni Guteza

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