Tag: Taguig City

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Lacson Renews Call to Abolish ‘Leadership Fund’ in National Budget

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Thursday renewed his call to abolish the “Leadership Fund” or allocables from the national budget, branding it not merely as another form of pork barrel, but a worse version of the outlawed system.

Lacson said the testimony of former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan, as well as recent developments on anomalous flood control projects, highlighted how the “Leadership Fund” gave legislators an opportunity to make budget insertions even during the preparation phase of the national budget.

“The Leadership Fund aka ‘allocables’ is a worse version of the outlawed pork barrel system. It added another layer that provided legislators opportunity to make budget insertions even during the Preparation Phase of the national budget, or before the National Expenditure Program (NEP) is transmitted to the Congress for deliberations by both chamber, where further insertions could still be introduced,” said Lacson, who has consistently rejected pork barrel in all its forms.

“With all that said, I maintain that such anomaly in the passage of the national budget must stop,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson Muling Nanawagan na Buwagin ang ‘Leadership Fund’ sa Pambansang Badyet

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Lacson: All Unpermitted Reclaimed Areas in Taguig Subject to Forfeiture; DPWH to Halt Ongoing Projects

All unpermitted reclaimed areas in Taguig City, whether belonging to the local government or to private individuals or entities, are subject to forfeiture in favor of the national government, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed Monday.

Lacson said this was made clear by officials of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) to him and his staff, as well as with officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“All reclaimed areas that did not apply and secure permits from PRA are subject to forfeiture in favor of the national government. There is no distinction, whether those reclaimed areas belong to the LGU of Taguig or are titled under private individuals or corporate entities,” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson: Lahat ng Unpermitted Reclaimed Areas sa Taguig, Saklaw ng Forfeiture; DPWH, Magpapahinto sa mga Patuloy na Proyekto

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Lacson: PRA Starts Process to Forfeit Illegally Reclaimed Taguig Land for National Government

The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) has started the process that could lead to the forfeiture in favor of the national government of several hectares of illegally reclaimed land on the Taguig side of Laguna Lake, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson said the PRA has confirmed his and his team’s initial findings that the Taguig City government had not secured a single permit required to undertake the reclamation.

“They are moving toward an investigation that would lead to a PRA board resolution to start the process toward forfeiture proceedings. If reclamation is undertaken without a permit from the PRA, which is the agency mandated to regulate reclamation and issue the necessary permits, the logical conclusion is that the land should be forfeited in favor of the national government. And the PRA confirmed that there was not a single permit,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

“The reclaimed land may be benefiting residents, as former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano claims, but the proper procedures and laws still have to be followed, including securing the necessary permits. The PRA said the city government did not secure a single permit,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: PRA, Sinimulan na ang Proseso para I-Forfeit sa Pambansang Gobyerno ang Ilegal na Ni-Reclaim na Lupa sa Taguig

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Lacson: End Impunity in Illegal Reclamation Ops in Taguig; Time for Justice and Accountability

The impunity that has accompanied unabated and illegal reclamation operations disguised as flood control and mitigation projects in the Taguig side of Laguna Lake for several years must end and give way to justice and accountability, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday.

Lacson said the operations had been allowed to continue despite questions over their legality and effectiveness in addressing flooding, while power and influence were used to harass officials of the agencies tasked to protect Laguna Lake.

“The Cayetanos have disguised these unabated and illegal reclamation operations in the Taguig side of Laguna Lake as flood control and mitigation projects for several years now, using their power and influence to harass officials of the Philippine Reclamation Authority, Laguna Lake Development Authority and other agencies tasked to protect the lake,” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson: Tapusin ang Impunity sa Illegal Reclamation Ops sa Taguig; Panahon na para sa Hustisya at Pananagutan

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Lacson: Disgraced Ex-SP Cayetano Wants Me Probed for Exposing Corrupt Public Officials

Disgraced ex-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano wants Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson investigated because he has gone after corrupt public officials by exposing anomalies, including those involving infrastructure and reclamation projects in Cayetano’s bailiwick of Taguig City, Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson dismissed Cayetano’s insinuation that he conducts investigations because he is allied with those in power, saying his agenda is – and has always been – to expose corruption and to hold public officials accountable.

Referring to a Philippine Star report quoting Cayetano as saying he should be probed for allegedly using his position to target his critics, Lacson said on X:

“‘Cayetano said Lacson should be investigated for using his position to target his critics.’ – Philippine Star… Translation: Lacson should be investigated for targeting corrupt public officials.”

In Filipino: Lacson: Gusto ni Disgrasyadong Ex-SP Cayetano na Imbestigahan Ako Dahil sa Pagbuking sa mga Tiwaling Opisyal

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