Tag: Tito Sotto

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Lacson: Senate’s Minority Bloc Has Rules on Our Side

By staging a walkout Tuesday evening, the Senate’s “Solid Bloc 11” minority bloc showed that retreat can mean victory, especially when the rules are on our side, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson also called out at least one senator for showing a condescending attitude towards one of his fellow minority bloc members, Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

“Senate minority walkout: we demonstrated how to score a victory by retreating. They may have superior numbers but we have the rules on our side,” he said on X.

“When they in the majority play dirty, we in the minority will play it smart,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Nasa Panig Natin ng Senado ang mga Patakaran

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Lacson: Fresh Start, Nothing Else, at Core of Senate Leadership Change Push

A fresh start for the Senate – and nothing else – is at the core of the push of the Senate’s 11-member minority bloc for a leadership change, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed Sunday.

Lacson dismissed speculations that the minority’s move is linked to efforts to amend the Constitution or influence the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Sa amin, ang primary or main concern naming 11, ibangon ang Senado. Wala kaming pinaguusapang kailangan palitan natin ng liderato para maitulak natin ng Con-ass, palitan natin ng liderato para ang impeachment mag-convict, wala kami ganun usapan (Our primary or main concern is to restore the Senate’s integrity. We never discussed anything else – not Con-ass, not the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte),” he said in an interview on DZBB radio.

“Yan lang ang mismong pinaguusapan namin na sana pagpalit tayo ng liderato, maibangon namin, magkaroon kami ng fresh start. Kaya napili namin si Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian. At least fresh face at wala siyang kaaway sabihin na natin (We in the minority bloc agreed that our reason for seeking a leadership change is to give the Senate a fresh start. That is why we rally behind Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, he is a fresh face and has no ‘enemies’ among senators),” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Panibagong Simula, Wala Nang Iba, Nasa Sentro ng Panawagan sa Pagbabago ng Liderato sa Senado

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Lacson: Senate Leadership Must Keep Institution a Model of Budget Transparency

The Senate’s current leadership must make sure the institution remains a model of transparency in crafting the national budget, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson, a watchdog of the national coffers, made the call barely two months before the Executive submits to Congress the proposed budget for 2027 this July.

“Sa panahon ni Sen. Sherwin (Gatchalian) at saka ni Tito Sen (Sotto) as finance chairman and Senate President, papunta na kami doon. And I hope sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, ma-sustain ang ganoon (Under then Senate President Vicente Sotto III and finance committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian, we were getting there in terms of budget transparency. I hope under Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, this can be sustained),” Lacson said in an interview on DZRH radio.

“Kami na maging halimbawa na parang pagdating sa pagitan ng dalawang houses, kami na yung parang pinaka-Big Brother na tinintigalaan nila para sa pagbalangkas man lang ng national budget, maayos (The Senate should be the example and the Big Brother at least in the crafting of the national budget),” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Dapat Panatilihin ng Liderato ng Senado ang Institusyon bilang Modelo ng Budget Transparency

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Lacson: Senators Should Direct ‘Kumusta Kayo’ and ‘Aalagaan Ko Kayo’ to Filipinos, Back It With Action

Senators’ “kumusta kayo” and “aalagaan ko kayo” should reflect concern for ordinary Filipinos – not just among themselves – and must be backed by action, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed on Friday.

Lacson said the new Senate minority bloc, where he is a member. is focusing on this by discussing ways to contribute to policy decision-making, while restoring the integrity of the Senate as an institution.

“The Filipinos should be the ones we show concern for. What is their plight? Can they still cope with their situation? When we say kumusta, we should not think of ourselves but ask what is the situation of our fellow Filipinos,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on True FM.

“This is one reason why we in the minority want to contribute and make a difference in policy decision-making, and we can do this if we are in the majority. This is not a condescending claim that only we have the moral authority. This is what emerges from our minority caucuses,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: ‘Kumusta Kayo’ at ‘Aalagaan Ko Kayo’ ng mga Senador, Dapat Para sa Ordinaryong Pilipino

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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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