Tag: Ronald dela Rosa

Statements, TV

Ping, May 2 Rekomendasyon sa Matagumpay na Pagbabakuna

Mas masigasig pang hakbang ng mga vaccination czar at pagbibigay kalayaan sa mga nangangasiwa at nagpapatupad ng pagbabakuna na gumamit ng epektibong sistema ang susi para maging matagumpay ang misyon ng pamahalaan na herd immunity laban sa COVID-19.

Isiniwalat ito ni Senador Panfilo Lacson bilang payo sa mga awtoridad matapos ang pinakahuling pagpupulong sa pagitan ng ilang senador na kinabibilangan niya, Senate President Vicente Sotto III at Senador Ronald Dela Rosa; at ni testing czar Vivencio Dizon at contact tracing czar Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

“We advised them to be more assertive. Senate President Sotto even said that if they are sure they are right and their ‘superiors’ are wrong, they can ‘defy’ them. Also, it is the people on the ground such as mayors who can appreciate the situation better. So it is important that they be given flexibility and more autonomy in the implementation of the vaccination program,” banggit ni Lacson sa panayam sa kanya ng CNN Philippines.

Isiniwalat din ni Lacson na magdadaos ang Senado ng Committee of the Whole hearing sa Martes, Hunyo 15, alas-10 ng umaga, bilang bahagi ng oversight function nito para alamin kung paano ginamit ng pamahalaan ang P82.5 bilyon na inilaan sa programa sa pagbabakuna, at mga kaakibat na paraan at sistema.

Related: Lacson: Flexibility, More Practical Regulations Key to Success of Vaccination Drive
Continue reading “Ping, May 2 Rekomendasyon sa Matagumpay na Pagbabakuna” →

Statements, TV

Lacson: Flexibility, More Practical Regulations Key to Success of Vaccination Drive

More assertiveness from the country’s vaccination czars and more flexibility for implementers and decision-makers on the ground will be crucial to the success of the government’s efforts to accelerate its COVID-19 vaccination drive and achieve herd immunity quickly, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said.

Lacson stressed this following a meeting Thursday night between him, Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Sen. Ronald dela Rosa on one hand, and testing czar Vivencio Dizon and contact tracing czar Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong on the other.

He also said the Senate will conduct a Committee of the Whole hearing on Tuesday, June 15, to exercise its oversight function on the government’s utilization of its P82.5-billion for the vaccination program and to evaluate the protocols and guidelines used by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. The hearing is initially scheduled at 10 a.m.

“We advised them to be more assertive. Senate President Sotto even said that if they are sure they are right and their ‘superiors’ are wrong, they can ‘defy’ them. Also, it is the people on the ground such as mayors who can appreciate the situation better. So it is important that they be given flexibility and more autonomy in the implementation of the vaccination program,” Lacson said in an interview on CNN Philippines.

Related: Ping, May 2 Rekomendasyon sa Matagumpay na Pagbabakuna
Continue reading “Lacson: Flexibility, More Practical Regulations Key to Success of Vaccination Drive” →

Statements

On the Meeting with Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez Jr.

Last Tuesday, I received a message from Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, relaying Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr.’s request for a meeting to apologize personally for the things he mentioned about me in his presentation during the T3 Zoom meeting last week – which I mentioned in my manifestation during the Senate Committee of the Whole hearing last Jan. 15. He also promised to brief me and disclose all the details of their vaccine procurement, including the prices of the different brands.

Then came the instruction of President Rodrigo Duterte to Sec. Galvez to brief Senate President Vicente Sotto III. I suggested to them that SP Sotto and I just go together, along with Sen. Ronald de la Rosa.

Sec. Galvez’s briefing clarified a lot of issues and concerns raised by the senators that have remained unresolved until last night. We advised him to explain in tomorrow’s hearing the same way that he did last night, without violating the terms of the agreement with the vaccine suppliers.

On our part, we committed to honor and respect those terms so as not to put in jeopardy the deliveries of the vaccines that he said will start within the first quarter of this year.

I accepted his apology. He promised to be more careful in issuing statements.

We were shown the documents. And we have no doubt about Sec. Galvez’s integrity and his sincerity to accomplish his task.

That said, we advised Sec. Galvez to mind his back, front, left and right sides. He may have the best of intentions but there may be people pushing him out front to do the talking and explaining to take advantage of his credibility while pursuing their own interests. He assured us that he will make it very hard for those people to even have an opening for that opportunity.

We share the same goal – to ensure our people are vaccinated against COVID-19, with no room for overpricing and other irregularities. The executive and legislative departments must work together in this regard.

*****

Photos

At the New Senate Building’s First Concrete Pouring

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Sen. Lacson joined Senate President Tito Sotto and Senators Nancy Binay and Bato dela Rosa at the first concrete pouring for the new Senate building. A day earlier, Sen. Lacson made a manifestation on the progress of the Senate’s effort to build its new home.

Statements

On the President’s Threat to Terminate the PH-US Visiting Forces Agreement

ph-us

The Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and United States is a BILATERAL accord that went through some back-and-forth diplomatic discussions prior to ratification by the Senate, after some intense plenary deliberation.

On the other hand, the US visa is a conditional authorization UNILATERALLY given to a visiting foreigner which may be granted, canceled or even denied outright, without need for explanation or justification.

In the absence of a Philippine Supreme Court ruling on the President’s power to unilaterally break a treaty or bilateral agreement like the VFA without the consent of a 2/3 supermajority vote of the members of the Senate, the President can do that without the Senate’s approval or consent.

Having said that, the Supreme Court should act soonest on whether the Senate’s consent is needed before the executive department can terminate a treaty or bilateral agreement – an issue raised in a petition filed before it by members of the Senate.

*****

Hearings/Investigations, Photos, PingBills, Videos

At the Hearing of the Senate National Defense Committee: Anti-Terrorism Bill

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“We need a strong anti-terrorism law.”

At the hearing of the Senate Committee on National Defense, Sen. Lacson stressed the need to pass a stronger anti-terrorism law soonest, citing signs of radicalism and extremism making their way to Philippine shores.

Lacson also strongly suggested that the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), headed by former Sen. Gringo Honasan, play a more active role against terrorism as it deals with telcos and ISPs.

Several aspects of the proposed anti-terrorism measure were tackled, including the removal of predicate crimes, making terrorism a continuing crime, and extending the reglamentary period in the detention of suspected terrorists to 14 days, extendible further to another 15 days. [Video Courtesy News5]

*****

Hearings/Investigations, Photos

At the Hearing of the Senate Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Committee

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At the hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, Sen. Lacson stressed the need for proactive measures to prevent the recruitment of students, especially minors, to the New People’s Army by its legal fronts.

“Yung point ko lang, magkaroon tayo ng proactive move para matigilan ang ultimate objective ng nagre-recruit na isali sa NPA. Pag naroon at armado na, nasa point of no return kasi pwede makasagupa ng sundalo at pulis.”

“This is (an) internal security and law enforcement problem. Balik tayo sa battle for hearts and minds.”

*****

In the News, Statements, Videos

#PingSays: ‘Shared’ House Speakership; Death Penalty Bill; Sen. Bato | July 9, 2019

In an interview, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– possible effects of a ‘shared’ House Speakership
– possible ‘pork’ in the budget, amending the 1987 Constitution
– Senate’s continued independence even with ‘the President’s men’
– passage of death penalty bill
– Sen dela Rosa’s ‘S*** happens’ statement

Quotes from the interview…
 Continue reading “#PingSays: ‘Shared’ House Speakership; Death Penalty Bill; Sen. Bato | July 9, 2019” →

In the News, Radio, Statements

Interview on DZBB: Leadership 101 vs Corruption; Senate Panel Chairmanship | May 30, 2019

In an interview on DZBB, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– ‘one-standard’ leadership needed to stamp out corruption
– raising taxes amid ‘continued’ corruption at the Bureau of Customs
– passing on Senate committee to Senator-elect dela Rosa

Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB: Leadership 101 vs Corruption; Senate Panel Chairmanship | May 30, 2019” →

Photos, Speeches, Videos

Speech at the 74th Anniversary of the PNP Crime Laboratory

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In both formal and informal occasions, I often stress that this is the point in my life where I certainly have more yesterdays than tomorrows. I tell you, as I gaze into my ‘yesterdays,’ I cannot help but realize how much has really changed in every aspect of our lives.

Let me share with you — in the late 1950s, when I was a young elementary student in a sleepy town of Imus, Cavite, I had a vivid memory of a lone policeman we simply referred to as “Kabo.”

He was a highly esteemed and respected man assigned to keep peace and order in our almost obscure barangay called Barrio Bayanluma then.

Continue reading “Speech at the 74th Anniversary of the PNP Crime Laboratory” →

In the News, Statements, Videos

#PingSays: Senators’ unity vs pork, ‘M-I-A’ mayors, Bato in politics | Sept. 19, 2018

In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– pork in the 2019 budget
– fate of ‘missing-in-action’ mayors in Ompong-hit areas
– Bato dela Rosa’s prospective entry into politics

Quotes from the interview…  Continue reading “#PingSays: Senators’ unity vs pork, ‘M-I-A’ mayors, Bato in politics | Sept. 19, 2018” →

In the News, Statements

Ito ang formula para lipulin ang operasyon ng mga drug lord sa loob ng Bilibid.

meme0424-bato-bucor

Related: Dela Rosa should cut connivance between jail guards, drug lords

In the News, Radio, Statements

Interview on DZBB | April 22, 2018

In an interview on DZBB, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– challenges facing new PNP chief Albayalde and new BuCor chief dela Rosa
– criticisms vs anti-drug war from the US State Department and EU Parliament
– claims of ‘utang na loob’ and the Blue Ribbon report
– ‘extortion’ racket at Boracay
– update on National ID bill

Quotes from the interview…  Continue reading “Interview on DZBB | April 22, 2018” →

In the News, Statements, Videos

#PingSays: On ‘Bato’ dela Rosa heading the BuCor and possible discounts on political ads | Dec. 13, 2017

In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– the reported appointment of PNP chief dela Rosa to the BuCor upon his retirement
– House bill providing discounts on political ads

Quotes from the interview…  Continue reading “#PingSays: On ‘Bato’ dela Rosa heading the BuCor and possible discounts on political ads | Dec. 13, 2017” →

Statements

Lacson to PNP Leadership: Follow Up Good Start to Internal Cleansing Bid

Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa is off to a good start in implementing a much-needed internal cleansing of the police force but will need to go beyond scolding cops linked to wrongdoing, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said.

Lacson, who headed the PNP from 1999 to 2001, said the public expects more positive action other than a strong reprimand, such as meting out the commensurate punishment for erring police personnel.

“Magandang mensahe, symbolic ang push-up at ang mura and everything, but it should go beyond that. Ang hinihintay ng tao, ano bang positibong aksyon aside from meting out the appropriate or commensurate punishment?” he said.

Related: Lacson sa PNP leadership: Dapat hindi lang push-up

Continue reading “Lacson to PNP Leadership: Follow Up Good Start to Internal Cleansing Bid” →

Statements

Lacson sa PNP Leadership: Dapat Hindi Lang Push-Up

Magandang panimula ang push-up pero dapat na sundan ito ng higit na epektibong sistema ng pagdidisiplina sa mga tiwali at mapang-abusong pulis hanggang sa muling tumino ang Philippine National Police (PNP).

Ito ang naging tugon ni Senate Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs Chairman at dating PNP Chief Panfilo Lacson, kasunod ng nabanggit parusa na ipinataw ni PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa sa ma pulis na sangkot sa pangingidnap at pangongotong sa mga Koreano sa Angeles, Pampanga.

“Magandang mensahe, symbolic ang push-up at ang mura and everything, but it should go beyond that. Ang hinihintay ng tao, ano bang positibong aksyon aside from meting out the appropriate or commensurate punishment?” banggit ni Lacson nang matanong sa naturang usapin.

Related: Lacson to PNP leadership: Follow up good start to internal cleansing bid

Continue reading “Lacson sa PNP Leadership: Dapat Hindi Lang Push-Up” →

Statements

Lacson Suspends Hearings on ‘Tokhang-for-Ransom’ amid Government’s Restructured Anti-Drug War

Citing the government’s focus on rogue police personnel in its restructured war against illegal drugs, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson is suspending the Senate’s hearings on “tokhang for ransom” incidents involving scalawags in uniform.

Lacson, who chairs the Senate committee on public order and illegal drugs that held a hearing on the matter last week, said it would be wise that the Senate wait and see how the major changes in the anti-drug war will work out.

“In view of the massive restructuring of the war against drugs to focus on rogue cops as ordered by the President, it is my view that the Senate wait and see how this latest development plays out. Having said that, I am suspending the hearings on the ‘tokhang for ransom’ issue,” he said.

Continue reading “Lacson Suspends Hearings on ‘Tokhang-for-Ransom’ amid Government’s Restructured Anti-Drug War” →

In the News, Statements, Videos

#PingSays: Sen. Lacson’s Advice to PNP Chief Bato dela Rosa

“Punuan ang mga naging pagkukulang at huwag kalilimutan na dahil armado at may kapangyarihan ang mga tauhan, hindi malayong ang iba sa mga ito ay gumawa ng kabalbalan.” – Sen. Lacson’s advice to Gen. dela Rosa

Statements

On the Killing of an Abducted Korean Right Inside Camp Crame

This is probably the most unwelcome wake-up call for Director General Ronald de la Rosa. Having said that, the PNP leadership should lose no time in addressing the issue by henceforth going hammer and tongs against all rogue cops who only care about their personal gains to the detriment of the entire police organization.

Priority must be against those who take advantage of the president’s all-out, mostly bloody war against illegal drugs.

Seventeen years ago, when I was the Chief PNP, I really hit hard on the inept, corrupt and undisciplined policemen, regardless of rank, or what I referred to at that time as ICUs. My primary concern was to do justice to the sacrifices of the overwhelmingly many honest and hardworking police officers.

Director General dela Rosa knows that, and I’m certain he knows how to do it because he was one of those at the forefront of our no-nonsense internal cleansing of the police.

*****

In the News, Online, TheySaidIt

The best of the Senate, the worst of the Senate [Manila Times]

From The Manila Times: Two senators, Richard Gordon and Panfilo Lacson Sr., demonstrated they were the best of the Senate, at par with the pre-martial law titans of that body such as Jovito Salonga, Jose Diokno, and yes, Benigno Aquino, Jr. If these two get to be presidential timber, I begin to have hope for our unlucky country.  Continue reading “The best of the Senate, the worst of the Senate [Manila Times]” →

In the News, Statements, Videos

Fatherly Advice to PNP Chief dela Rosa

“Half of the battle is won, kung ang members ng pulis, DISIPLINADO.” – Sen. Lacson’s advice to PNP chief dela Rosa