Tag: Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian

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Lacson, Staff Begin Scrutiny of Proposed 2027 Budget Amid Senate’s Tight Schedule

Despite the Senate’s tight schedule due to the ongoing impeachment trial, regular plenary sessions and expected committee hearings on matters referred to his committees, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson and his staff have begun scrutinizing the proposed P7.2-trillion budget for 2027.

Lacson said that, as in past years, he and his staff would closely examine the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to ensure that no traces of “pork,” including questionable, useless and wasteful items, would make it to the proposed budget.

“Sa ngayon, sinisimulan na namin ng staff na i-scrutinize ang NEP kasi na-transmit na ito. Pinasisimulan namin kalkalin o i-scrutinize ang NEP para sa 2027 budget (As of now, my staff and I have started scrutinizing the NEP after it was transmitted to both houses of Congress. We have started poring through the NEP in preparation for deliberations on the proposed budget for 2027),” he said in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson, Staff Sinimulan ang Pagsusuri sa Panukalang 2027 Budget sa Kabila ng Masikip na Iskedyul ng Senado

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Lacson: Maleta Boys’ Recantation Raises More Questions; Those Behind the Confusion Must be Held Accountable

The recantation by some of the 18 “Maleta Boys” of their claims about cash deliveries in suitcases to certain personalities raises even more questions, but authorities should also track down and hold accountable those behind the confusion they have created, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday.

Lacson said the “Maleta Boys” have made so many flip-flopping statements in various fora and venues that the public no longer knows which of their claims to believe.

“First question that needs to be answered is – are these four part or outside of the eight reported earlier to have submitted their sworn statements to the Ombudsman which triggered the initiation of the preliminary investigation against former Speaker Martin Romualdez, et al?” he said.

“Sa dami kasi ng flip-flopping statements nila sa iba’t-ibang fora at venues, hindi na natin alam kung ano na ang totoo at hindi sa mga sinasabi nila at kung sino-sino sa kanila ang nagsasabi ng totoo at hindi (With the many flip-flopping statements they made in various fora and venues, we no longer know who among them is telling the truth, or which parts of their claims are true),” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Pag-Recant ng ‘Maleta Boys’ Nagdulot ng Marami Pang Tanong; Dapat Panagutin ang mga Nasa Likod ng Kalituhan

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Lacson: Previous Senate ‘Fathers’ Were All Statesmen – Except One

The Senate’s previous “fathers” consistently demonstrated statesmanship and professionalism during leadership transitions — all except one, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson noted over the weekend.

Lacson said disgraced ex-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano stood out as the only Senate “leader” who triggered a legislative paralysis all because he tried to cling to power.

“STATESMEN ALL, EXCEPT ONE —
I’ve seen the ‘changing of the guard’ in the Senate many, many times.
Frank Drilon to Manny Villar in 2006; Manny Villar to Juan Ponce Enrile in 2008… Koko Pimentel to Tito Sotto in 2018… Chiz Escudero to Tito in September 2025; Tito to Alan Cayetano in May 2026; finally, to Sherwin Gatchalian on June 17, 2026.
Save for the last one, everyone else relinquished their posts with exemplary statesmanship and professionalism,” he said on X Sunday afternoon.

In Filipino: Lacson: Lahat ng Naunang ‘Ama’ ng Senado ay mga Statesman – Maliban sa Isa

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Lacson Rejects Claims of ‘Martial Law’ in Senate Security Inspection

What “Martial Law?”

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson thus rejected on Tuesday the objections and claims of “undeclared martial law” by some minority senators to the security survey and inspection (SSI) of the Senate premises by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection, assisted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Lacson stressed that the inspection stemmed from intelligence reports indicating a security threat to the Senate, adding that no one was exempted, not even the offices of the majority bloc members.

“Martial law? All the offices of individual senators, even including that of Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, as well as those occupied by the secretariat and all other offices, were subjected to safety and security inspections to make sure that we and the Senate employees as well as the media people covering the Senate will be safe and secure from a repeat of the May 13 shooting incident and mayhem that transpired under the watch of disgraced ex-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano,” he said.

“Except for those of us who may be apprehensive that they may have kept or stored contraband items like firearms, explosives and drugs in their offices, those with clean consciences should all welcome instead of criticize the SSI that was conducted by the PNP and the Bureau of Fire Protection, assisted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Itinanggi ang Bintang na ‘Martial Law’ sa Security Inspection sa Senado

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Lacson: Majority Prepared for Disgraced Ex-SP Cayetano’s Dirty Tricks at Senate Special Session

The Senate majority bloc led by Senate President Pro Tempore and acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian is ready for any dirty tricks that disgraced ex-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano may attempt during the Senate’s special session, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson said that while everyone except Cayetano and a handful of his allies recognize Gatchalian as the Senate’s leader, Cayetano has shown he is capable of doing anything to preserve his “power.”

“Members of the majority bloc are ready with contingencies in case he makes a scene. We have discussed measures that I am not at liberty to divulge. I have emphasized to the majority bloc to not underestimate him because he is capable of dirty tricks. He doesn’t care about the institution, he only cares about himself,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: Mayorya, Handa sa Anumang Maruming Balak ni Disgrasyadong Ex-SP Cayetano sa Senate Special Session

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