Tag: transparency

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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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Letter to the Editor: Lacson office ‘sets record straight’ on March 8 Manila Times editorial

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.”

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Lacson to Detractors: Evidence, Not Noise, to Convict Those Behind Flood Control Mess

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

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Lacson Hopeful Safeguards in 2026 Budget, Continued Vigilance vs Abuse Can Bring Positive Change

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

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Transparency in Action: Lacson Encourages Public to Check 2026 Budget Bill on Senate Website

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

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