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.”
Evidence, and not noise, will indict and convict those involved in the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed Monday.
At the resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing into the issue, Lacson tore into “skeptics, detractors, and hijackers” for twisting public anger to divide the nation.
“Your noise will not silence the truth; neither does it provide any help in our investigation. Your noise cannot convict – and won’t even indict the malefactors in this flood control mess. Only evidence does,” he said.
“With all that being said – as the Chairman of this committee – I say to you: Shut the f… up!” Lacson said, referring to detractors of the committee’s work.
In Filipino: Lacson, Binalikan ang mga Nanggugulo: Ebidensiya, Hindi Ingay, ang Magpapakulong sa mga May Sala sa Flood Control Issue
With safeguards among others in place and with continued public vigilance, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson holds high hopes that the 2026 budget will help bring positive change for Filipinos.
Lacson lauded the Senate panel in the bicameral conference committee led by Senate finance committee Sherwin Gatchalian for fighting for the safeguards and transparency measures the Senate has inserted.
“Amid all the disinformation and unreasonable criticisms, we have all the reasons to be proud of our Senate panel under the leadership of our Finance Chair Senator Win. I give my two thumbs up from start to finish,” Lacson said.
“We do not live in a perfect world, much less in an ideal situation, so we cannot be perfectionists and idealistic given the circumstances. That’s why adjustments must be made both ways,” he added.
In Filipino: Lacson, Umaasang Safeguards sa 2026 Budget at Pagmamatyag vs Abuso, Tutulong sa Pagdulot ng Pagbabago
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Saturday encouraged the public to see how the Senate put transparency in action in its version of the P6.793-trillion proposed national budget by visiting the Senate website.
Lacson said the Budget Transparency Portal reflects the reforms undertaken by the Senate in the budget process, including livestreaming the proceedings from committee hearings to the floor deliberations.
“Overall, the crafting of the budget in the Senate was very good. I would encourage you, the public, to check the Senate website. You will see the individual amendments of each senator. Everything is on record, unlike before when we cannot trace who made what amendment because the amendments were merely whispered to the committee chairman,” he said in FIlipino in an interview on DZMM radio.
In Filipino: Transparency in Action: Lacson, Hinikayat ang Publiko na Suriin ang 2026 Budget Bill sa Website ng Senado
Budget insertions by themselves are not illegal nor evil as they are part of the mandate of lawmakers in shaping the national budget – but this mandate has been abused by lawmakers, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Monday as he bared the House of Representatives has its own share of humongous amendments a.k.a. insertions in the 2025 budget.
Lacson, who earned a reputation as a no-nonsense watchdog of the national budget, reiterated his call for transparency and accountability from lawmakers in the deliberations for the 2026 budget.
“Introducing insertions are not illegal. It is our mandate as lawmakers to review the National Expenditure Program and introduce amendments. The problem is that many lawmakers abused this mandate,” Lacson said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.
“I hope that in 2026, we will practice self-restraint. The people are angry so we must reform the way we pass the budget,” he added.
In Filipino: Lacson: Budget Insertions Mandato ng Mambabatas, Pero Naabuso sa Kongreso
Continue reading “Lacson: Budget Insertions Part of Congress’ Mandate, but Abused by Lawmakers”