Tag: Rodante Marcoleta

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Lacson on Flood Control ‘Minority Report’: Respect Begets Respect

“How will I respect a document that symbolizes disrespect towards the Blue Ribbon Committee and the entire Senate?”

Senate President Pro Tempore and Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson thus scored the so-called “minority report” on the flood control scandal, as he stressed that there is only one Blue Ribbon Committee that is investigating the issue.

Lacson said that under the Rules of the Senate, a committee report can be reported out only by the Blue Ribbon Committee, and after it is signed by majority of the committee’s members – not by just six of nine members of the minority bloc.

“Respect begets respect. How will I as Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee treat with respect a document that symbolizes disrespect toward the Blue Ribbon Committee and the entire Senate both of which they are members?” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM.

“So there is no other place for that ‘minority report’ but the trash bin,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson sa Flood Control ‘Minority Report’: Respect Begets Respect

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Lacson Outlines Consequences of Recantation, Scores Attempts to Discredit Proceedings

A double whammy may await former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials if they recant their sworn statements related to the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson, who set the next hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the matter on Jan. 19, said they will not only face sanctions for perjury, but their recantation will fail to weaken the cases being built against those involved.

“If they will recant, they may be liable for violating the law on perjury, Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code as amended by RA 11594, which raises the penalty for perjury to up to 12 years. This is aside from a penalty of P1 million and perpetual absolute disqualification if the offender is a government official,” he said in an interview on DZBB radio, amid reports indicating the officials may recant.

In Filipino: Lacson, Inilahad ang mga Posibleng Parusa sa Pag-uurong ng Salaysay, Tinuligsa ang mga Pagsisikap na Sirain ang Proseso

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Lacson: NIA Owes Public Answers on Waste of Funds in Balog-Balog Multipurpose Project

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) owes taxpayers a clear explanation for the wastage of funds in the long-delayed Balog-Balog Multipurpose Project in Tarlac, which remains unfinished despite receiving P7.006 billion from 2015 to 2020 alone, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Thursday.

Lacson expressed this concern during the interpellation of the proposed 2026 budget of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), recalling that he raised similar questions about the project in 2020.

“Hindi lang sa budget deliberation natin dapat pagusapan ito. I think we should really focus on the delayed projects and the obvious wastage of public funds, particularly sa Balog-Balog Multipurpose Project (We should take this up not just in the budget deliberations. I think we should focus on the delayed projects and obvious wastage of public funds, particularly in the Balog-Balog Multipurpose Project),” Lacson said.

In Filipino: Lacson: NIA, Dapat Magpaliwanag sa Nasasayang na Pondo sa Balog-Balog Multipurpose Project

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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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