Ang tama ay IPAGLABAN. Ang mali ay LABANAN.
To The Manila Times: We write to rectify several misconceptions in your March 8, 2026 editorial regarding the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s draft partial report on the flood control project scandal, which characterized the draft report’s non-release to the public at this time as “lip service to transparency” and even suggested that it smacks of “whitewashing.”
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Monday raised questions concerning the logic and “basic mathematics” behind the claims of 18 former military men linked to a P805-billion cash delivery scheme, before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee can convene a hearing on the matter.
In a privilege speech, Lacson said this is not meant to belittle the testimonies of the 18, but to ensure that the credibility and reliability of the information sources and the information itself “adhere to rational and logical standards of believability.”
“To be clear, while every imputation of a crime warrants our attention, none deserves our blind deference. In the same manner that everyone has a right to be heard, it is not a license to mislead. Hence, while I reserve judgment on the merits of the testimonies, I am duty-bound to raise questions of logic and – at the very least – basic mathematics,” he said.
“Siguradong bibigyang-kulay na naman ng mga trolls ang mga tanong na ito. Pero isipin na lang natin: kung magagamit ang mga nasabing alegasyon bilang instrumento ng propaganda o anumang motibo, hindi ba dapat ay logical at mathematically possible man lamang ang mga akusasyon (I am sure trolls will throw shade on these questions. But we must think: if the allegations are used as instruments of propaganda, shouldn’t they at least be logical and mathematically possible)?” he added.
In Filipino: Lacson, Nagtanong sa ‘Logic and Basic Math’ ng mga Pahayag sa Cash Delivery ng 18 Ex-‘Marines’
The math doesn’t lie – and right now, the story of 18 ex-military men on supposedly delivering P805 billion in cash to certain individuals still doesn’t add up, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Monday.
A still-wary Lacson said that if all the details of the 18 ex-soldiers were true, those behind the cash delivery scheme would not have finished their deliveries until 2028 at the earliest.
“Even as we speak, I continue to fact-check the claims. It would be hard to call a hearing if these were lacking in believability,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino, in an interview on DZMM radio.
In Filipino: Lacson, Tinitimbang ang ‘Believability’ ng Kuwento ng mga Dating Sundalo sa Paghahatid ng Pera
Continue reading “Lacson Weighs ‘Believability’ of Ex-Soldiers’ Cash Delivery Story”
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson has begun scrutinizing an alleged scheme involving former military personnel who allegedly delivered large sums of cash to ranking public officials, supposedly upon the instructions of ex-Rep. Elizaldy Co.
Lacson, who initiated the preliminary checks ahead of the formal filing of a Senate resolution directing the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to investigate the matter, noted two key areas that need further checking.
“We will evaluate first the source of information, which in this case are the 18 alleged Marine personnel who appeared at a press conference last Tuesday. Second is the reliability or credibility of the information itself, meaning the content of their affidavit,” said Lacson, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
In Filipino: Lacson, Sinusuri ang Umano’y Cash Delivery Scheme na Kinasasangkutan ng mga Ex-Militar
Continue reading “Lacson Scrutinizes Alleged Cash Delivery Scheme Involving Ex-Military Men”
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Sunday called out the “fake” premises cited by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta regarding the Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into the flood control scandal, and an ethics complaint he has threatened to file against him.
Lacson said Marcoleta’s call to summon former Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin to the Blue Ribbon probe over alleged text messages with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was baseless, noting Bersamin was not mentioned in the committee’s records.
As for Marcoleta’s prospective ethics complaint over a supposed spliced video, Lacson said it was similarly unfounded.
“He’s been basing his statements and accusations on wrong premises. They’re all fake,” he said in English and Filipino, in an interview on DZBB radio.
In Filipino: Lacson, Tinuligsa ang Mga Pekeng Banat ni Marcoleta sa Blue Ribbon Probe at Bantang Ethics Complaint