MGA DRIVER AT TINDERA, KAY PING LACSON NA!

MGA DRIVER AT TINDERA, KAY PING LACSON NA!

 

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LACSON-SOTTO SUPPORTERS IN BALIC BALIC, SAMPALOC, MANILA

 LACSON-SOTTO SUPPORTERS IN BALIC BALIC, SAMPALOC, MANILA

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Co-Sponsorship Speech: Committee Report 270 (Conversion of a Municipality into a Component City)

 

Co-Sponsorship Speech: Committee Report 270

 (Conversion of a Municipality into a Component City)

Mr. President, fellow members of this august chamber, I have the honor to co-sponsor Committee Report No. 270 -- a proposed bill that will allow our municipalities to sustain economic viability by attaining cityhood through an exemption from the requirements for city conversion and at the same time, ensure fiscal equity among our existing cities with the adoption of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) portability.

Mr. President, the principles of creating a sovereign state are simple: the population must be numerous enough to preserve a political entity; its land large enough to sufficiently provide for its people.

Testament to this are the small states such as Monaco, the island state of Naura, Tuvalu, and San Marino — none of them having a land area bigger than 25 square kilometers and population of over 35,000, yet all of them have attained the status as independent states.

The City of Rome, named the smallest city in the world, covers only 1,285 square kilometers but it has kept its glory and grandeur being a powerful economic force of Italy. In fact, it accounts for 6.7 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

Mr. President, we take stock of these prospects for change. We can accord the same regard to our municipalities which thrive to generate their local income at a level comparable or even outperforming the fiscal competence of some cities.

The demographics of municipalities as a requisite to cityhood tend to put some of our municipalities at a disadvantage: simply because they have fewer people and smaller lands make it impossible for them to attain cityhood. Hence, the bill proposes a logical exemption to the general rule for the conversion to cityhood for municipalities that generate a local income of P400 million, without the restrictive requirement of the size of its land area or population.

In the same way, the bill ensures that all our 146 cities as of date will not be burdened by the addition of the converted municipalities to their roster. To cushion the impact of this conversion to the IRAs of existing cities, an IRA portability provision is included where the municipality concerned will bring with it its IRA’s share to the League for three years after the effectivity of this proposal.

Mr. President, by opening the doors to cityhood for qualified municipalities, we allow the local governments to fully operationalize their functions, we address the inequity in national resources, we provide a greater number of our people the effectual impact of being a city -- better delivery of public services and a fair share of our progress.

To this end, it is the honor and privilege of this Representation to co-sponsor this Committee Report.

Thank you, Mr. President.

*****

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Lacson: How Did Pharmally Corner Almost P12B in Contracts for Medical Supplies?

September 13, 2021

Lacson: How Did Pharmally Corner Almost P12B in Contracts for Medical Supplies?

Despite starting up with a little over P600,000, how did Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp. corner nearly P12 billion in contracts from the government for medical supplies to address the COVID-19 pandemic?

Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson asked this Monday as he noted the amount is a huge chunk of the P42 billion that the Department of Health transferred to the Department of Budget and Management's Procurement Service (PS-DBM) to procure the items.

He told Pharmally chairman Huang Tzu Yen and director Linconn Ong to submit to the committee official records showing how many contracts Pharmally bagged, and how much were involved.

"Just make sure you base your figures on official records," he said, even as Ong cited "records" showing Pharmally may have gotten some P11 billion.

Citing figures from the Government Procurement Policy Board, Lacson said Pharmally was awarded at least seven contracts amounting to P8,625,496,016. "If we add the computations of Senators Franklin Drilon and Richard Gordon, it could reach P12 billion," he said.

Earlier, Lacson said the initial information he got indicates only 50,000 face masks would be supplied by the Sitaldas company and 100 million pieces by the Ferrer-owned EMS, though only 25 million pieces were received.

A big part of Pharmally's contract involved P3.82 billion for two million sets of personal protective equipment (PPEs) that Pharmally bought for P1,150 per set and sold at P1,910 for a profit of P760/set - or a total of at least P1.5 billion.

"Kaya kailangan tingnan kung na-defraud ba ang government or taxpayer sa pakikipag-deal ng PS-DBM (We should see if the government or the taxpayer was defrauded by the dealings of PS-DBM)," he said in an interview on DZBB radio.

Lacson, in pushing for an accounting of the P42-billion transfer from DOH to PS-DBM, also noted a large part involves loans that will have to be paid by future generations of Filipinos.

"Babayaran yan ng mga kaapu-apuhan. Di ba dapat tingnan natin kung maayos ang paggastos ng pera ng bayan (The loans will be paid by our grandchildren. Are we not duty-bound to at least make sure the public funds are spent properly)?" he said.

Meanwhile, Lacson lamented the government's favoring of imported supplies when local suppliers had been willing to address the requirement for medical supplies.

"Kaya lumaki ang issue kasama na rin yan. Bakit pabor na pabor sa importer samantalang may namumuhunan na rito (One reason why this issue grew so big is that why is the government favoring importers when local entrepreneurs are willing to produce the needed supplies)?" he said.

*****

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Kailangan Namin Ang Pinunong Katulad Nila Sen Ping Lacson at Sen Pres Tito Sotto

Kailangan Namin Ang Pinunong Katulad Nila Sen Ping Lacson at Sen Pres Tito Sotto

 

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LACSON-SOTTO SUPPORTERS OF BRGY 167, LLANO RD., CALOOCAN CITY

 LACSON-SOTTO SUPPORTERS OF BRGY 167, LLANO RD., CALOOCAN CITY

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SEN PING LACSON LIVE SA DZBB

SEN PING LACSON LIVE SA DZBB

 

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Lacson: Corruption Worsening Government Response to Delta Variant

Lacson: Corruption Worsening Government Response to Delta Variant

Corruption is weighing down the government’s already insufficient response to the heightened threat from COVID-19 due to the Delta variant of the coronavirus, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson lamented Thursday.

Lacson described as “disheartening, frustrating and revolting” the signs of corruption that have emerged so far in the Senate’s investigation into irregularities in the procurement of medical supplies to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

These irregularities range from the failed attempt of former Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service head Christopher Lao to reclassify some employees as “confidential” to the Food and Drug Administration’s changing the rules on procurement, Lacson said in an interview on ANC.

“While the Delta variant is to be blamed, ang ma-blame mo rin government response. We’re not responding accordingly sa prevailing situation. To make matters worse, may corruption involved. Naroon ang problema (While the Delta variant is to be blamed for our situation now, government response is not free from blame because we’re not responding accordingly to the prevailing situation. To make matters worse, there is corruption involved. There lies the problem),” he said.

Lacson questioned former PS-DBM head Christopher Lao’s move to request a reclassification of some employees as confidential employees. He said this occurred in early February, shortly after he was appointed as OIC of the PS-DBM. The Civil Service Commission denied the request.

“Ang question, bakit kailangan ang confidential employees sa isang ahensya ng government na nag-procure (The question is, why the need for confidential employees in an agency tasked with procurement)?” he said.

Lacson also questioned the FDA’s circular loosening requirements for procurement, but tightening them again after Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp. delivered its supplies.

He said he has suggested to Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairperson Richard Gordon to summon some documents including the minutes of the Bids and Awards Committee of the PS-DBM, and other documents necessary to qualify to participate in a bidding.

On the other hand, Lacson said at least one person has manifested intention to fully cooperate in the investigation.

“I hope pagka nag-testify ang sinasabi ko, mag-open up lahat. Maraming mabubuksan dito. I hope chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee and my colleagues will still continue this investigation (I hope this person will testify to crack open the case. I hope the Blue Ribbon Committee chairman and my colleagues will continue this investigation). That’s all I can say now. We’re waiting for developments and I hope this can open up a whole lot of information,” he said.

Lacson said other “mind-boggling” signs of corruption include the Department of Health’s procurement of ambulances that are overpriced by P1 million each.

 

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LACSON-SOTTO: WE ARE NOT DUTERTE'S ENABLER!

 

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Philippine senator first to declare 2022 run for presidency

 Philippine senator first to declare 2022 run for presidency

MANILA, Sept 8, 2021 - Philippine Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday declared his candidacy for next year's presidential election, the first to confirm a run for the top post to replace the controversial incumbent Rodrigo Duterte.

Former police chief Lacson, 73, made his announcement alongside Senate speaker Vicente Sotto, a former actor, musician and four-term lawmaker who will be his running mate in the vice presidential contest.

"Between me and Senate president Sotto are more than 80 years of honest, dedicated and competent public service," Lacson said, cheering from a crowd and from virtual attendees.

Duterte, 76, is prevented by the constitution from running for a second, six-year term, but has expressed interest in the vice presidency, which critics believe is a way to extend his grip on power behind a nominal president.

Duterte is expected to be nominated on Wednesday by his ruling PDP-Laban party. The deadline for filing for candidacy in the May 2022 election is next month.

Lacson, who ran unsuccessfully for president in 2004, is known for his tough stance on crime and for helping to draft a controversial anti-terror law, which activists have condemned and fear could be used to crush dissent in one of Asia's most liberal democracies.

Lacson and Sotto spoke of the enormous challenges they would face if elected to lead Southeast Asia's second most populous country, which is fighting one of the region's deadliest coronavirus epidemics.

"The country is buried in debt, many have lost their jobs ... corruption is prevalent and illegal drugs is still rampant," Lacson said, in a swipe at Duterte, who was elected on promises to eliminate corruption and drugs.

#WE SUPPORT THE TRUTH!

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SPEECH OF SENATE PRESIDENT TITO SOTTO Announcement of Candidacy for Vice President September 8, 2021

My beloved fellow Filipinos,

I am here today, as your public servant, to face the challenges of our time as your candidate for Vice President of the country.

But most of all, I come to you to ask for your trust: trust that our nation will rise again, trust that there will be hope again; your firm belief that together, we will be able to restore our trust in our country, the Philippines.

We face serious problems:

A failed economy;

Prevalence and increase of COVID-19 cases nationwide;

Widespread corruption;

Suffering of Filipinos.

And as always, the ordinary people, the destitute, the poor, and those who are experiencing great hardships.

But the more serious problem is the loss of hope. Hope is something we should never ever lose.

Many of us do not know whom to trust, or what to believe anymore.

Perhaps, we have come to the point where we can no longer ignore what is happening – to our government, to our economy.

Enough! We need to respond! We need to take action! We need to work together to prevent and correct mistakes. This is the beginning.

We are here before you because of our love for our native land.

Because we believe in you, our countrymen; Because we want to sow the seeds of hope to the heart and mind of every Filipino; Because we know that this is our last chance to do what is right to save the future of today’s generation and the generations to come. But more than that, we are here because we believe that if we work together, we will succeed.

We promise that we will not stop this fight until the order of our country is restored. That’s a promise!

And when we make a promise, we will never break it!

This is not about Lacson and Sotto. It’s about you.

You are the ones whom we want to serve. The ones who keep mum. The simple and ordinary citizens. Senator Lacson and I are here for the bright future you truly deserve. In a way that will not go through corruption, but will eradicate corruption! In a manner that will not transgress the law and order, but is based on law and discipline!

This is the reason why we are centered on trust.

Only when there is trust will a society flourish. Trust in their institutions. Trust in the Judiciary. Trust in the Police. Trust in Government. Trust in the leaders. Trust in citizens. Trust in each other. Not corrupt.

This is what we are serving. This is our battle: To change the system!

We need a nation that values morality.

The people are tired of living in darkness – in a life without a vision of a good future they aspire for themselves and for the country.

There is a saying, “it is darkest before dawn.” With the help and guidance of God the Father, our dear Lord, and through our collective efforts, our beloved Philippines will soon see the light.

Thank you very much! Long live the Philippines!

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