Tag: Rotary Club

Speeches, Videos

Lacson Details Future-Proof Plans for the Philippines

It is a pleasant day to meet you yet again this afternoon, after my guesting only last July of this year.

Far from complaining, I am honored and privileged to have you as an audience because let’s face it — in a crowd of industry leaders who have kept their fair share of “service to change lives”, a chance to speak about my vision for the Philippines and the Filipino people would take more than mere rhetoric. It takes an honest and compelling truth of why I am here after more than 50 years in public office.

Let me take you back to several decades ago when my presence in this event was unlikely, if not impossible. Let me tell you my story: Being born to poor parents and raised in a small, sleepy town of Imus, Cavite, how could a child like me even aspire for higher education when most of the children of my age back then were not even motivated to finish high school? Fortunately, my parents valued education like no other in our neighborhood. I still remember the words of my late mother: “Sukdulang hindi kami kumain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw, makatapos lamang kayo ng pag-aaral, masaya kaming papanaw.”

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Statements, Videos

Ping: Pag-aayos ng Gobyerno ang Kailangan sa Pagharap sa Mabibigat na Problema

Kailangang maireporma ang pamahalaan para maharap nito ang mga mabibigat na problema kagaya ng pandemya at ang korapsyon.

Ayon kay Senador Panfilo Lacson, dagdag na karapatan para sa mamamayan at makatuwirang paggamit sa maliit nang mapagkukunan ng pantustos ang dapat na maging pagbabago sa pamahalaan.

“As one nation, we must reinvent our bureaucracy – one that innovates and empowers its citizens, and commits to doing more with less. Make no mistake: our government is not just any family business, it is our nation’s business,” banggit ni Lacson sa kanyang pagsasalita sa mga kasapi ng Rotary Club of Parañaque North nitong Sabado.

“The first agenda is addressing the pandemic. We cannot see it ending soon. The second is addressing corruption, which has been on the top of my list ever since I started my public service – when you address corruption, you are halfway to solving the nation’s problems,” paliwanag ng mambabatas.

Read in ENGLISH: Lacson: Reinventing Bureaucracy Needed to Combat Biggest Problems
Continue reading “Ping: Pag-aayos ng Gobyerno ang Kailangan sa Pagharap sa Mabibigat na Problema” →

Statements

Lacson: Reinventing Bureaucracy Needed to Combat Biggest Problems

The Philippines needs to reinvent the bureaucracy to combat some of the biggest scourges facing the nation – namely the pandemic and corruption, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said.

Lacson said the current bureaucracy must be reshaped to one that empowers the citizens and commits to doing more with less.

“As one nation, we must reinvent our bureaucracy – one that innovates and empowers its citizens, and commits to doing more with less. Make no mistake: our government is not just any family business, it is our nation’s business,” he said in his speech before the Rotary Club of Parañaque North on Saturday evening.

“The first agenda is addressing the pandemic. We cannot see it ending soon. The second is addressing corruption, which has been on the top of my list ever since I started my public service – when you address corruption, you are halfway to solving the nation’s problems,” he added.

Basahin sa TAGALOG: Ping: Pag-aayos ng Gobyerno ang Kailangan sa Pagharap sa Mabibigat na Problema
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Speeches, Videos

Speech Before the Rotary Club of Parañaque North

Tonight, I am grateful as it is my honor and privilege to address, albeit virtually, a group of committed and passionate individuals, who continue to render unwavering service to our fellowmen.

As I speak to all of you today, I believe that I would be remiss if I will not confide to you the mixed feelings that keep me up at night, so to speak.

Truth be told – in my years of existence, never in my wildest imagination have I ever thought that Filipinos would come to live in such despair, uncertainty and worst – fear.

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Radio, Statements, Videos

Lacson, Sotto: Hindi Namin Bibiguin ang Mga Pilipino

Ang mga katagang ito ang dadalhin ng tambalang Ping Lacson-Tito Sotto sa hangarin nilang maibalik ang tiwala ng sambayanan sa pamahalaan.

“I will not fail you. I will not fail the Filipino people. We will not fail you. This is our last hurrah in public service, there is no room for selfish interests or personal motives,” seryosong pananalita ni Lacson sa panayam sa kanya ng DWIZ radio nitong Sabado.

“We have no other agenda. Considering our age and track record in public service, we have something to offer the Filipino people,” dagdag ni Lacson.

Related: Lacson, Sotto: We Will Not Fail the Filipino People
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Radio, Statements, Videos

Lacson, Sotto: We Will Not Fail the Filipino People

We will not fail the Filipino people.

This is the rallying cry of Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson and Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III as they seek to restore Filipinos’ trust in the government.

“I will not fail you. I will not fail the Filipino people. We will not fail you. This is our last hurrah in public service, there is no room for selfish interests or personal motives,” Lacson said in an interview on DWIZ radio Saturday.

“We have no other agenda. Considering our age and track record in public service, we have something to offer the Filipino people,” he added.

Related: Lacson, Sotto: Hindi Namin Bibiguin ang Mga Pilipino
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Speeches, Videos

Discussing the Anti-Terrorism Bill Before the Rotary Club of Manila

At the meeting of the Rotary Club of Manila, Sen. Lacson holds the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 – and its critics – to the Rotary’s Four-Way Test. Sen. Lacson also answered questions on the Anti-Terrorism Bill after the speech.

Good afternoon.

It is good to once again see familiar faces, virtually at least. I am certain that moving from physical meetings and events to the digital realm is something that is new to all of us. Nevertheless, I find comfort in knowing that this pandemic could not shake the dedication of a Rotarian spirit in living up to its overarching motto: Service above self.

Your invitation says I have 30 minutes to speak. Since there are many points to cover in our virtual discussion today, I will cut to the chase and go straight to the issues at hand.

For the past couple of weeks, among the trending topics that have been dominating the mainstream and social media platforms is the Anti-Terrorism Bill, which as we speak, is awaiting the signature of the President. Unfortunately, the ongoing campaign against this proposed measure, heavily influenced by massive misinformation and disinformation, unfairly devalues the importance of this legislative measure on many fronts.

Hence, as the principal sponsor and one of the authors of the bill, it is incumbent upon me to take every available platform to shed light on the legislative intent and merit of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, as proposed.

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Photos, Speeches, Videos

Speech Before the Rotary Club of Manila

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A crowd like this always evokes a strong feeling of sentimentality. Like most of you in this hall, I am certainly at the point in my life where I often turn my gaze back over the past and see if those years have really mattered — not only for myself, but for the people who have entrusted me a seat in public office, and for my country that has given me so much in my present life.

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Statements, Videos

Lacson: Guard vs Possible Graft in Implementation of P9-T Infra Program

Related: Ping: Publiko obligasyon na bantayan ang P9-T proyektong imprastraktura

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Statements, Videos

Ping: Publiko, Obligasyon na Bantayan ang P9-T Proyektong Imprastraktura

Related: Lacson: Guard vs possible graft in implementation of P9-T infra program

Continue reading “Ping: Publiko, Obligasyon na Bantayan ang P9-T Proyektong Imprastraktura” →

Speeches, Statements, Videos

Speech Before the Rotary Club of Makati Central

Delivered at the New World Hotel, Makati City

Italian poet Cesare Pavese said, and I wish to paraphrase: “Men do not tend to remember days. They remember moments.”

Every time we look back to stories of the past, we cannot always tell specifically what happened “before” and “after,” what really transpired in between, who did what, and why. However, if we recall every important event in our lives – those that were so crucial and transformative – we can easily single out one very striking episode and say:  that moment changed everything.

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Past Speeches [before the 17th Congress]

Serving Others by Creating Equal Opportunity

Speech before the Rotary Club of Manila, Manila Polo Club, Makati City

After I accepted your invitation as your guest speaker today courtesy of Mr. Mon Pedrosa, a hearing on the WB mess was subsequently scheduled on this same day. So I requested Rotarian Mon if I could arrive just a little late, 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., so I would be able to participate and spend more time asking questions in the WB hearing.

What I got from Mon was a big flat ‘No,’ with the threat that if I arrived late, he would be very embarrassed and be left with no option but to resign from the Rotary. I love Rotary, being a Rotarian myself, and I cannot allow Mon, a good Rotarian, to resign from the Rotary. In fact, I am a proud Rotarian. I used to be a very proud Rotarian until Jocjoc Bolante barged into the scene.

When it came time to choosing a service organization, I quickly identified with the Rotary because of its motto: Service above self.  Continue reading “Serving Others by Creating Equal Opportunity” →

Past Speeches [before the 17th Congress]

Legacy of Corruption

Speech before the Rotary Club of Makati, The Peninsula Manila

Only last Friday, I was here in Makati joining tens of thousands of our countrymen who represented tens of millions of other Filipinos who thought enough is enough of corruption and cover-ups yet unprecedented in Philippine history.

The government’s response is, the economy is doing great. That the peso is relatively stronger is a fact. That the economic indicators show good numbers is another fact.

But the numbers are still leaving a lot of us out.  Continue reading “Legacy of Corruption” →

Past Speeches [before the 17th Congress]

Corrupt-Free 2010

Speech before the Rotary Club of Downtown Manila, Corregidor Function Room, Century Park Hotel, Manila

Good evening.

Once a Japanese ambassador told me there are 3 most common lies on earth. No. 1 lie, is when an American tenant tells his landlord, the check is in the mail. It is not to be believed. No. 2 lie, when a Japanese lover tells you that he is more romantic than a Frenchman, don’t believe him. And the 3rd most common lie is when a politician tells you he’s about to deliver a short speech. Ladies and gentlemen, my fellow Rotarians, don’t worry. This is going to be a short speech.

Let me first thank president Henry for giving me the opportunity to be here and share my views on corruption, poverty and what 2010 should mean for all of us.  Continue reading “Corrupt-Free 2010” →

Past Speeches [before the 17th Congress]

Where Honor Has Become Alien

Speech before the Rotary Club of Quezon City, Club Filipino, San Juan City

I speak to you tonight in what can best be described as living in the worst of times, which collectively we can make the best of times.

We are incessantly told, through media and public pronouncements, that the economy is on a roll. The proof, we are told, is that the peso is at a seven-year high compared to the weakening American dollar.

The proof, we are told, is that the stock market is booming, where even worthless paper sells for ten times its book value.  Continue reading “Where Honor Has Become Alien” →

Past Speeches [before the 17th Congress]

We Have But ONE COUNTRY

Speech before the Rotary Club of Manila East

There are three things we Rotarians must not believe. One, when your delinquent tenant tells you that the check is in the mail. Second, when your fellow Rotarian tells you that he’s going home straight from a Rotary meeting. And three, when a politician guest speaker promises to deliver a short speech. My fellow Rotarians, don’t worry. My speech tonight won’t be very long.

I do not recall any previous invitation by the Rotary Club of Manila East and San Miguel. I will not ask why. But I will tell you why I am here tonight.

My main message is one and simple. Call it immutable and it is. We have but one country. All we need are very good leaders to inspire us.  Continue reading “We Have But ONE COUNTRY” →

Past Speeches [before the 17th Congress]

Where We Are

Speech before the Rotary Club of Manila

I feel honored today. It is good to be with you again. After all, it is not every week that one is given the chance to speak before the oldest of the country’s Rotary Clubs – certainly not the kind that Spokesman Toting Bunye has insulted.  I mean that to be the truth – not the truth that Malacanan Palace speaks and expresses each time we, Filipinos seek an explanation on Garcillano, on impeachment, on Venable and what have you.I feel honored today. It is good to be with you again. After all, it is not every week that one is given the chance to speak before the oldest of the country’s Rotary Clubs – certainly not the kind that Spokesman Toting Bunye has insulted.  I mean that to be the truth – not the truth that Malacanan Palace speaks and expresses each time we, Filipinos seek an explanation on Garcillano, on impeachment, on Venable and what have you.

The invitation of President Cesar made through fellow Rtn. Art to be your guest speaker today brings back good memories. This is the group to whom I delivered my first major address when I became Chief of the Philippine National Police in November 1999. I remember that was upon the invitation of a good friend and mentor and now a Senator and a distinguished colleague, the Hon. Alfredo S. Lim.

It was easy then to deliver my speech. There was a strong clamor for reforms in our country’s police force. In that address before you, I defined my response and vision. I remember talking about the ICU’s among the police – the inept, corrupt and undisciplined. At that time, I was already thinking of my antidote against the ICU’s. It was AID – aptitude, integrity, discipline.  Continue reading “Where We Are” →

Past Speeches [before the 17th Congress]

National Security

Speech Before the Rotary Club of Downtown Batangas

It always feels good to be with my fellow Rotarians. Even though I have not been as active when I was in Cebu, the saying goes perpetual right: Once a Rotarian, always a Rotarian.  Continue reading “National Security” →

Past Speeches [before the 17th Congress]

After EDSA II Reflections

Speech Before Rotary Club of Biak-na-bato and other Rotary Clubs of Rotary District 3780, Greenhills

Thank you very much for your very kind invitation.

Assistant Governor Danilo Espinosa and President Porfirio Belgica were considerate enough to suggest the topic that I would discuss with you. That is as it should be in every speaking opportunity.

Again, thank you very much.  Continue reading “After EDSA II Reflections” →

Past Speeches [before the 17th Congress]

Of Sacred Cows and Cash Cows

Speech before the Rotary Club-Hiyas ng Bacoor, Heritage Hotel, Pasay City

I would like to thank all of you for your very kind invitation. There is no second home to me other than the company of fellow Rotarians. You and I make mankind our business to serve and protect. Without fear, without favor.  Continue reading “Of Sacred Cows and Cash Cows” →