Tag: Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian

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Lacson: Legislative Insertions Major Cause of DOH Project Delays, Underutilization

Legislative insertions in the national budget are a major cause of delays and underutilization of funds for the Department of Health (DOH)’s projects as lawmakers add projects without consulting the agency, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday.

During the Senate finance committee’s hearing for the DOH’s 2027 budget, Lacson said the problem is similar to what he observed in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) where inserted projects could not be readily implemented because they were not in its original plans.

In Filipino: Lacson: Legislative Insertions Pangunahing Dahilan ng Pagkaantala, Underutilization sa mga Proyekto ng DOH

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AMLC: Lacson, Gatchalian Budget Boost Allowed Us to Integrate AI vs Money Laundering

A P162.9-million boost in its 2026 budget, facilitated by Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson and then Senate finance committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian, helped the Anti-Money Laundering Council integrate artificial intelligence in its anti-money laundering efforts this year.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor and AMLC Chairman Eli Remolona Jr. said this Thursday, nearly a year after Blue Ribbon hearings on the flood control scandal highlighted gaps in the country’s anti-money laundering efforts amid massive cash transactions involving contractors.

In Filipino: AMLC: Dagdag-Pondo nina Lacson, Gatchalian Malaking Tulong sa Kakayahang Gumamit ng AI vs Money Laundering

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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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