Ang tama ay IPAGLABAN. Ang mali ay LABANAN.
From Marlen Ronquillo’s column in The Manila Times: With the leadership of the committee changing hands, from Rodante Marcoleta to Panfilo Lacson, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has gained both respect and credibility.
Continue reading “Blue Ribbon Committee’s serious housecleaning work [Manila Times]”
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson will maintain a “blindfold mentality” in presiding over the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s probe into the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects – even as he maintained there is no need to stop the Senate probe now that Malacanang has created an independent probe commission since they should complement each other.
Lacson stressed Friday that this mentality, which has always guided his investigations, means the committee will base its findings on evidence, and will spare no one – not even legislators or employees. The panel’s next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 18.
He added that the P355-million insertion in the 2025 budget, one of the subjects of the investigation, has brought to light the need to identify the proponents of amendments or insertions in crafting the budget. This transparency is one of the budget reforms Lacson has repeatedly fought for.
In Filipino: Lacson: Tuloy ang Senate Flood Control Probe Kahit na May Independent Commission; Blindfold Mentality ang Magiging Gabay
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral may be summoned to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into anomalous flood control projects, panel chairman Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.
Lacson noted that Cabral had invited at least one lawmaker to make early insertions into the proposed budget for 2026, and lied “through her teeth” in trying to deny it.
“Usec. Cabral,” Lacson said in an interview on DZMM radio, when asked about who the committee can summon to shed light on the issue.
In Filipino: Lacson: DPWH Usec, Posibleng Harapin ang Blue Ribbon Probe sa Isyu sa Flood Control
An internal cleansing of the Senate’s Blue Ribbon Committee will be one of the priorities of new chairman Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson, aside from immediately buckling down to work and continuing where the former chairman has left off.
Lacson cited the need for an internal cleansing after an alleged staff of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was linked to a supposed “delivery of obligation” (a.k.a. “lagay” or bribe) during a congressional hearing on Tuesday and was identified by Sen. Estrada as a staff of the Blue Ribbon panel.
“In the House committee hearing today (Tuesday), a Blue Ribbon staff member identified by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada as Beng Ramos was linked to a supposed delivery of obligation aka ‘lagay’ by WJ Construction that was awarded a project by then Bulacan 1st DEO Henry Alcantara,” Lacson said in a post on X.
“Since I am not sure if there is only one Beng Ramos in the Blue Ribbon Committee which I was just elected by my peers to chair, just like (Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary) Vince Dizon, maybe I also need to do a simultaneous internal cleansing while buckling down to work,” he added.
In Filipino: Lacson, Uunahin ang Internal Cleansing sa Blue Ribbon Committee
Continue reading “Lacson to Prioritize Internal Cleansing in Blue Ribbon Committee”
Strict, no-nonsense and “receipt” based. These will be the trademarks of Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson in conducting investigations as incoming chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, including the probe into substandard and ghost flood control projects.
Lacson said Tuesday that this approach will apply to the claims of Pacifico and Cezarah Discaya linking some lawmakers and officials to corruption.
“First of all, I will look for receipts. I will not rely on the say-so of others hook, line and sinker. In my privilege speeches, I do not rely on mere reports or testimonies. Instead, I ask myself what evidence do I have to support what I will say?” he said in Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.
In Filipino: Incoming Blue Ribbon Chairman Lacson, Magdedemanda ng Resibo sa Imbestigasyon sa Flood Control
Continue reading “Incoming Blue Ribbon Chairman Lacson to Demand ‘Receipts’ in Flood Control Probe”