The #1 Problem In Our Country Is The CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT

 At Present, The #1 Problem In Our Country Is 

"The CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT"

Based on the FB Survey Result conducted last September 17-22, 2021.

Read More

FREE-SIDENTIABLES: Lacson–Stomach in, chest out

 FREE-SIDENTIABLES: Lacson–Stomach in, chest out

Second in a series

    His declaration had a similar impact as that of North Korea’s launch of its new anti-aircraft missile. Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Morena Lacson, ahead of all others, publicly announced that he is running for President. Unswerving, and unperturbed, he will again launch a nationwide campaign, the same way he did in 2004 but hoping for a different result.

    Having lost against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, he now guns for a second attempt at a presidential seat, as if his 50-year epoch of public service would not suffice—three terms as a Senator (2001-2013, and 2016-2022) and 32 years with the Philippine National Police. His 50 years of illustrious experience could very well come within the ambit of the powerful and inspiring narrative in Victor Hugo’s book Les Miserables. Ping Lacson’s adventure in public service can only compete with his 48 years of solid marriage to which the good senator is still so much a part of. Both in his service to the country and in his marital life, the Filipino word “matatag” sums them all up. Particularly fascinating is the fact that Senator Ping is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (Matatag) Class of 1971.

    Ping Lacson’s distinguished career, in the realm of lawmaking and law enforcement, is nothing less than stellar! As a legislator, he authored, sponsored or co-authored a plethora of key measures, including the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, and the Anti-Hazing Law of 2018. Perhaps the most controversial in the list of legislative produce attributable to the Honorable Senator is the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which confers to the government more powers to run after individuals and groups falling under what critics decry as a treacherous and blurred definition of terrorism. Against a backdrop of purported violations of human rights, I think this Ping-sponsored bill, subject of numerous petitions in the Supreme Court challenging its constitutionality, can make or break his presidential bid.

    His legislative accomplishments include privilege speeches that generated one bombshell after another as the aroma of graft and corruption has been lingering in government. For instance, Senator Ping exposed the “tara system” or bribery at the Bureau of Customs and the anomalies in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF a.k.a. pork barrel). Speaking of this “senatorial allocation”, Ping never used his P200 million PDFs and he never accepted any cent from PDAF’s most famous linchpin—Janet Lim Napoles. Even when some of his companions at the Senate did so, Senator Ping stayed away from such temptation. His non-use of this PDAF allotment speaks much of Senator Ping’s character.

    Equally prolific in the arena of law-enforcement, Senator Ping achieved much in the resolution of high-profile crimes including kidnap-for-ransom cases. During his tenure as PNP chief, Lacson allocated 85 percent of police resources to frontline units and imposed a 34-inch waistline limit for police officers. Senator Ping’s trim physique and youthful looks are indicators of his self-discipline, as I hold such a high regard for people who can take care of their body, if not their appetite and passion.

    Controversies do hang above Senator Ping’s head like a sword of Damocles, the most haunting of which are the kuratong baleleng and Dacer-Corbito charges. He went into hiding out of self-preservation under an atmosphere of political persecution at that time. Incidentally, Senator Ping was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing.

    Visually, I will always remember Senator Ping’s “stomach in-chest out” bearing, as if he recently graduated from the PMA! He never lost his good military posture (brace up, chin in, shoulder back), which actually bespeaks his public and private persona! He talks straight as an arrow, never mincing words in the process.

    This “stomach in-chest out” bearing, physically and figuratively speaking, will be the Senator’s strongest point in this presidential race. Such bearing, unyielding and steadfast, reminds me of the Biblical Daniel who likewise evoked the same “good posture”: straight, no-nonsense, disciplined, and solid. Daniel refused to eat the royal food and drink the king’s wine lest he defile himself; declined to bow to the gold statue; and refused to cease his praying at a time when bowing to anyone other than the king was banned, an act for which Daniel was thrown into the den of lions. Daniel was uncompromising to the king’s decree just as Ping was uncompromising to temptation of corruption! Lacson remained true to his PMA motto of integrity, as he consistently said no to bribery, corruption, plunder or any matter that would “defile” him. He maintained a sense of discipline, both physically and professionally. Lacson never compromised his principles just as Daniel never compromised his faith. Standing true to this stomach in-chest out posture, both Daniel and Senator Ping, in the metaphorical sense, taught us to never compromise or make concessions, if it will entail losing yourself in the process. As the “standard” back then was to use the PDAF, legally or illegally as in the case of the Napoles scheme, Lacson refused to compromise. As the practice back then was to bow to an idol and stop praying, the Biblical Daniel refused to compromise. These two men proudly stood straight on their principles and faith, stomach in-chest out, so to speak.

    The Bible teaches us that God does not condone compromising His commands: “Be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left” (Deuteronomy 5:32); Joyful are those who “do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths” (Psalm 119:3). Concerning matters that God has clearly addressed, we should never negotiate, bargain, or compromise. We must stand straight and abide in His instructions.

    Senator Ping Lacson, with his stomach in-chest out” posture, lasted 50 years as a no-nonsense public servant with no whiff of corruption. Should he stay true to this bearing for the next six or so years, never wavering and by no means compromising, President Ping may well add another golden period to his already illustrious career.

*********

Read More

Robredo-Lacson unity talks bog down again

 Robredo-Lacson unity talks bog down again

OCTOBER 4, 2021- MANILA, Philippines — Unity talks are definitely off between the camps of Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, closing a window for a unified opposition ticket five days before the deadline for the filing of candidacies for the 2022 elections.

    Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Lacson’s running mate, confirmed this to the Inquirer on Sunday, although he did not say why their second dialogue with Robredo on Saturday did not prosper.

    He also said that their camp was not holding unity talks with other candidates because he and Lacson, who is running for president under Reporma, were now focused on their campaign.

    “Our groups and supporters are all set already nationwide. Our large organizations have started early. We are [at the] point of no return,” Sotto said. He pointed out that Lacson chairs Reporma, while he chairs the National People’s Coalition and campaign strategist Ronaldo Puno, who was earlier reported to have joined their camp, heads the National Unity Party.

    “Together we are larger than any other political group. We may not get 100 percent of our memberships to campaign for us because of other commitments but our majorities are intact,” he said.

    Earlier, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, a Liberal Party (LP) stalwart, said another meeting between the two camps was held on Saturday in an attempt to broker a deal between Robredo and Lacson.

    Robredo, the LP chair, has not declared her plans next year but has been busy wooing other presidential aspirants to unite to give anti-administration forces a greater chance of winning.

    During the meeting, Lacson “said he [was] committed to run for president. So no agreement was possible,” according to Drilon.

    There were also “no offers” on each side to slide down to the vice presidency, he added.

    “My impression is that no agreement can be reached,” Drilon said in a text message.

More patience needed

    In a statement on Saturday, the senator said he believed Robredo would make a bid for the presidency before the Oct. 8 deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs).

    The 1Sambayan opposition coalition has nominated Robredo as its presidential candidate.

    Her spokesperson, Barry Gutierrez, said that she had yet to accept the nomination and would announce her decision before the Oct. 8 deadline.

    “It’s very clear to us that many are excited [and] waiting for her decision,” he said during Robredo’s weekly radio show on DZXL.

    “But wait a little longer. It’s just going to be a few more days. We will eventually learn what her decision would be,” he added.

    Gutierrez also belied reports that Robredo had transferred her voter’s registration in Magarao, Camarines Sur, in preparation for a possible run for a local post.

    He clarified that the Vice President only wanted to be consistent with her place of residence.

    “VP Leni has always been clear on this: her present priority, the discernment she is doing right now is for a national post—the presidency,” Gutierrez said. “Her options for local posts will have to wait until she has [not yet] given clarity to her national aspirations.”

    If ever Robredo does run, he assured her supporters that she would not “back down or play tricks” like substitute her candidacy.

    President Rodrigo Duterte, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a second term, declared in August that he would run for the vice presidency.

    But in a surprise announcement on Saturday, he said he would retire.

*********

Read More

Handang-Handa si Ping maging Pangulo

Handang-Handa si Ping maging Pangulo

👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

 

Read More

FROM THE IN SIDE STORY

 FROM THE IN SIDE STORY

We differ in opinion but I of course respect yours; and, I don’t mind if Leni wins the election. There’s change, if it happens. But, I must say that I am NOT comfortable of her capability to lead. A zero in the senatorial race 2019 betrays her inability to rally like the way Cory did. There’s absolutely no comparison. Cory was the only hope and she inspired all. To me, Leni is a far cry. I listed down all the problems our nation is facing:

1) Corruption

2) organized crime, kidnapping, drugs, guns for hire, trafficking. 

3) a 50 year old insurgency 

4) extremism and terrorism

5) China problem

6) bringing back discipline to our police force. 

7) plunder in the handling of pandemic funds

8) mishandling by the economic team lead by one of the elite, Carlos Dominguez. 

9) Elitism in business 

10) lack of patriotism 

11) Ballooning national debt

12) pandemic strategic handling. 

13) Failing Justice system.

14) Accountability of public officers. 

To me, the answer is not a person with a pure heart, or a person who is motherly. We need someone who has demonstrated capability to lead, and can best respond to these festering ailments of our society. In LACSON and SOTTO, I see a “job-fit”. I can’t wager anymore that our presidency will be occupied by an ON-THE-JOB trainee.

*********

Read More

SEN PING LACSON QUALITY TIME TOGETHER WITH HIS APO's

SEN PING LACSON QUALITY TIME TOGETHER WITH HIS APO's

 

Read More

REMINDERS TO ALL VOTERS AND NEW VOTERS! VOTE WISELY!

 REMINDERS TO ALL VOTERS AND NEW VOTERS! 

VOTE WISELY!

Read More

LACSON-SOTTO TANDEM FOR 2022 CAMPAIGN MOBILE COMMAND CENTER

 LACSON-SOTTO TANDEM FOR 2022 CAMPAIGN MOBILE COMMAND CENTER

Read More

DAVAO DEL NORTE CANDIDATES OF REPORMA ATTENDING MASS FOR THE 2022

 DAVAO DEL NORTE CANDIDATES OF REPORMA ATTENDING MASS FOR THE 2022

Read More

Lacson Questions Proposed Transfer of P35B in AFP Modernization Fund to SPF

 Lacson Questions Proposed Transfer of P35B in AFP Modernization Fund to SPF

October 2, 2021 - Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson on Friday questioned a proposal of the Department of National Defense (DND) to transfer at least P35 billion from the regular budget of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to the Special Purpose Fund (SPF).

Lacson said such a transfer to the SPF effectively turns the amount into a "lump sum" that will be released only upon the approval of the President.

"You are proposing that P35 billion be transferred from the regular budget to the SPF. Why is that? The SPF is used to augment the regular budget and is released only upon approval of the President. Bakit inaalis nyo sa regular budget (Why do you want to remove it from the regular budget)?" he asked DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana at the Senate committee hearing on the DND's proposed budget for 2022.

Lacson did not agree with Lorenzana's explanation that unlike the regular budget, the SPF would not lapse after one year. Lorenzana said the AFP's procurement of assets is multi-year as it may take more than a year to perfect the contracts.

Also, Lacson noted that under the AFP Modernization Program, the procurement of equipment is government-to-government.

Under the DND presentation, the AFP proposed to place the AFP Modernization Program and its programmed allocations as an SPF, stating that the enabling law (RA 10349) dictates that the funds for the Revised AFP Modernization should be treated as separate and distinct from the regular appropriations of the DND and the AFP.

The SPF is defined as “appropriations in the GAA provided to cover expenditures for specific purposes for which the recipient department have not yet been identified during budget preparation.”

"Bakit natin gagawing lump sum ang otherwise itemized na under AFP Modernization Program? Baka magkaroon ng problema (Why transform an otherwise itemized amount into a lump sum? It might cause problems)," Lacson said.

"It’s either that or you are not ready yet to present the itemized list of equipment to be procured. Kung ginawa mong SPF magiging lump sum yan (If you transfer the amount to the SPF it effectively becomes a lump sum appropriation). Are you not ready to identify the equipment to procure?" he added.

Lorenzana said they will "look into it" and consider Lacson's comments on the matter.

For his part, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who presided over the hearing as chairman of the Senate Finance Subcommittee C, agreed with Lacson that it would be better to keep the amount in the regular fund.

"Instead of making their life miserable, we’d like to make their life easier," Lacson pointed out.

*********

Read More

SENATOR PING LACSON LIVE ON DWIZ

SENATOR PING LACSON LIVE ON DWIZ

👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

 

Read More