Tag: Senate

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Lacson: Integrity is Tested in Positions of Power and Influence

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City – Integrity is not proven in combat alone – it is tested most in positions of power and influence, especially if no one is watching.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed this Saturday in his speech at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Alumni Homecoming here, with the theme “Fostering Unity and Excellence: Strengthening Bonds and Advancing Traditions.”

“If the test of courage and loyalty transpires during times of danger, integrity is tested in positions of power and influence, especially when no one is looking,” said Lacson, who has placed a premium on integrity in his decades in public service.

“Courage and loyalty – two out of three values that stand equally in the hearts of every Cavalier. Yet if I may speak candidly, between you and me, I have always held the third one closest to my heart and above the rest. And that is INTEGRITY,” he added, recalling how he learned this value as a child, even before entering the PMA.

In Filipino: Lacson: Integridad, Nasusubok sa Pwesto ng Kapangyarihan at Impluwensya

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Lacson: Senators Facing Charges Before ICC Should Have Chance to Avail of Legal Remedies

Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go should have all chances to avail of legal remedies amid the charges they now face before the International Criminal Court, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson also said the local Philippine courts must be respected in whatever course of action the ICC may take regarding the two senators, who it named as co-perpetrators in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

“I think they should have the chance to avail of all legal options, because our local courts and processes must be respected. If there is an arrest warrant from the ICC or a foreign court, it should go through our local court, which will issue a corresponding order to implement the foreign entity’s arrest warrant,” Lacson said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DWIZ, when asked if the two should have the chance to avail of all legal remedies.

In Filipino: Lacson: Dapat Mabigyan ng Pagkakataon si Sen. Bato at Go na Gamitin ang Legal Remedies sa Pagharap sa Kaso sa ICC

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Opening Prayer at the Senate Regular Session

Heavenly Father, on this holiday season, as we remember the birth of your Son, Jesus in a simple manger, we lift up to you the homeless with no roof above their heads except the sky, and whose only bed is the ground.

Wrap them in your comfort when the night is cold. Give them shade when the day is hot. Feed them not with scavenged food from the mounds of trash but from the open hearts and willing hands of the more blessed among us.

Let kindness find them in unexpected places. Fill their hearts with hope when their world feels empty.

All this we ask in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

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Lacson Pushes P250M Funding for Anti-Corruption Office in Judiciary

To strengthen the Judiciary’s fight against corruption, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Wednesday pushed for the inclusion of funds in the 2026 budget for the newly reorganized Judicial Integrity Office (JIO).

During his interpellation of the 2026 budget of the Judiciary, Lacson noted that operationalizing the JIO would help strengthen accountability among judges, officials and employees of the courts.

“I’m interested in this. (This is part of the) signs of the times (because) as the nomenclature suggests, JIO will be primarily tasked to promote integrity and to address issues of corruption within the Judiciary,” he said.

“While the consciousness is high in addressing corruption, maybe this is the proper time to assist the Supreme Court and the Judiciary to organize immediately the JIO,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Itinulak ang P250M Pondo para sa Anti-Corruption Office sa Hudikatura

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Push to Scrap Unprogrammed Appropriations in 2026 Budget Gains Momentum as Lacson Backs Sotto, Gatchalian

The push to scrap unprogrammed appropriations from the 2026 national budget gained more momentum as Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson threw his full support behind Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senate finance committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian.

Lacson said Saturday that he will add his voice to the Senate’s stand if the Senate and House contingents meet on the matter at the bicameral conference committee.

“Our agreement was that there will be no unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 budget, but we will allow funding for foreign-assisted projects that are necessary. Funds in the unprogrammed appropriations for other purposes will be removed,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino, in an interview on DZMM radio.

In Filipino: Lacson, Suportado sina Sotto at Gatchalian: Alisin ang Unprogrammed Appropriations sa 2026 Budget

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