Tag: Zaldy Co

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Lacson: Maleta Boys’ Recantation Raises More Questions; Those Behind the Confusion Must be Held Accountable

The recantation by some of the 18 “Maleta Boys” of their claims about cash deliveries in suitcases to certain personalities raises even more questions, but authorities should also track down and hold accountable those behind the confusion they have created, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday.

Lacson said the “Maleta Boys” have made so many flip-flopping statements in various fora and venues that the public no longer knows which of their claims to believe.

“First question that needs to be answered is – are these four part or outside of the eight reported earlier to have submitted their sworn statements to the Ombudsman which triggered the initiation of the preliminary investigation against former Speaker Martin Romualdez, et al?” he said.

“Sa dami kasi ng flip-flopping statements nila sa iba’t-ibang fora at venues, hindi na natin alam kung ano na ang totoo at hindi sa mga sinasabi nila at kung sino-sino sa kanila ang nagsasabi ng totoo at hindi (With the many flip-flopping statements they made in various fora and venues, we no longer know who among them is telling the truth, or which parts of their claims are true),” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Pag-Recant ng ‘Maleta Boys’ Nagdulot ng Marami Pang Tanong; Dapat Panagutin ang mga Nasa Likod ng Kalituhan

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Lacson to Law Enforcement: Intelligence Key to Tracking, Arresting High-Profile Fugitives

Good intelligence work is the key to tracking down and arresting high-profile personalities including Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson gave this advice to law enforcement agencies who are also looking for “prominent” personalities including dela Rosa, “Atong” Ang, former Gen. Gerald Bantag, and even ex-Rep. “Zaldy” Co who is believed to be in France.

“As one who worked in law enforcement, intelligence for breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between. Intelligence is the prime mover of any operation, law enforcement or military,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson sa Alagad ng Batas: Intelligence, Susi sa Pagtugis at Pag-aresto ng mga High-Profile Fugitives

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Lacson: Government Must Work Double Time to Make Up for ‘Lost Opportunity’ on Zaldy Co

The government has only itself to blame for the “lost opportunity” to take ex-Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co into custody and must now work double-time to bring him back, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson said Philippine authorities now face an embarrassing situation after failing to act promptly despite receiving timely information of Co’s apprehension by authorities in the Czech Republic.

“Simply put, it was a lost opportunity and our government has nobody to blame except itself. Failing to act with dispatch after having been timely informed of ex-Cong. Zaldy Co’s apprehension by the Czech authorities now puts the government in an embarrassing situation,” he said.

“Government must now exert extra effort and work double time to bring him back not only to redeem itself from this lapse but to show its sincerity and seriousness in bringing Co and his co-conspirators to justice,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Gobyerno, Kailangang Magdoble Kayod para Makabawi sa ‘Pagkawala’ ni Zaldy Co

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Lacson Readies Blue Ribbon Chairman’s Progress Report, Eyes ‘Faceoff’ with Former Speaker, Zaldy Co, Ex-Soldiers

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is preparing a Chairman’s Progress Report on the flood control scandal to pave the way for the resumption of hearings and to aid case-buildup by the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman.

Lacson also said he is keen on inviting anew former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez to the committee’s next hearing – and having him join a faceoff with captured former Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co and former soldiers who claimed to have delivered kickbacks to various personalities on Co’s orders.

“We have drafted a Chairman’s Progress Report. I cannot report out the partial committee report on the Senate floor due to the lack of needed signatures. So to get it over with, I have thought of drafting the Chairman’s Progress Report, which has a precedent,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio Sunday.

“We owe it to the Filipino people. The Blue Ribbon Committee has conducted eight hearings on the matter but has yet to come up with even a partial report,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Inihahanda ang Blue Ribbon Chairman’s Progress Report, Balak ang ‘Faceoff’ kina Dating Speaker Romualdez, Zaldy Co, at mga Dating Sundalo

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Lacson: Romualdez Should Have Heeded Blue Ribbon Invitations to Refute Budget ‘Mangling’ Allegations

Former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez should have heeded invitations to attend the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s hearings last November and January to refute allegations linking him to the “mangling” of the 2025 budget, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson said the committee issued at least two official invitations to Romualdez to testify on the budget controversy, which has been linked to anomalous flood control projects and other irregularities.

“The Blue Ribbon Committee gave the former speaker at least two chances through official invitations to testify under oath and public scrutiny to what may be his strong argument against allegations of masterminding the ‘mangling beyond recognition’ of the 2025 national budget during the bicameral conference, which he now claims to have been made by only two people – then SP (Senate President Francis) Chiz Escudero and ex Cong and House Appropriations Chairman (Elizaldy) Zaldy Co,” Lacson said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Dapat Sinunod ni Romualdez ang Mga Imbitasyon ng Blue Ribbon para Sagutin ang Alegasyon sa Pagkalikot sa 2025 Badyet

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