Why Lacson And Sotto Are Silent On Other Candidates

 Why Lacson and Sotto are silent on other candidates

Senators Panfilo Lacson and Vicente Sotto III refrain from commenting on their rivals and other campaigns. They explain why.

While reacting to the campaign of one’s competitor is a norm, even a strategy, in running an electoral race, the presidential-vice presidential tandem of Ping Lacson and Tito Sotto has taken a position of silence and non-confrontation.

When rival candidates take the spotlight over a controversy – say, the mockery of candidate substitutions or the misrepresentation of one’s educational achievements, you wouldn’t hear from the two senators.

Why is this so? Is this to avoid confrontation and to play safe? The candidates were finally asked to explain on Thursday, December 2, during their regular Meet the Press forum.

“We’re not in the business of playing safe. We just want to raise the level of campaigning,” said Lacson, the standard-bearer of Partido Reporma.

Lacson said other candidates were not the enemies, but the issues that many of them have tried and failed to end, such as systemic poverty and rampant corruption. (READ: Isko Moreno to Filipinos: Stop voting same families, political parties into office)

“Sa dami ng problema, bakit tayo mag-e-engage sa mudslinging (With our problems, why would we engage in mudslinging)?” Lacson said.

Lacson was seconded by Sotto, who said the only time they would speak is when the issue raised by other candidates involve the tandem’s work as legislators. Even then, they pair said they would comment on the issue and not the person.

“We are not judgmental,” Sotto said, grinning.

This position of non-retaliation is consistent with the Lacson-Sotto campaign presenting itself as a campaign for issues only – no names dropped. Even their criticism of the Duterte government rarely names the President. Instead, they urge the secretaries, the bureau chiefs, and the director generals who were appointed and follow orders from the top.

As elections heat up with the official campaign period beginning in February 2022, will Lacson and Sotto stay true to their pact?

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LACSON: CHINA'S CONTROL OVER WPS A HUNGER ISSUE

LACSON: CHINA'S CONTROL OVER WPS A HUNGER ISSUE

 

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PROGRAMA NI PING SA MGA TINDERA/TINDERO

 PROGRAMA NI PING SA MGA TINDERA/TINDERO

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'Very Good'! Lacson Welcomes Google Ban on Political Ads

'Very Good'! Lacson Welcomes Google Ban on Political Ads

December 2, 2021 - Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson welcomed on Thursday the plan by Google to ban political advertising on its platform during the run-up to the May 2022 elections.

Lacson, who is running for President under Partido Reporma, said this move will help prevent online trolls from misleading the public.

"Very good. Ang trolls nag-a-abound (Trolls abound online)," he said at the weekly LACSON-SOTTO media forum, when asked about the internet giant's plan to ban political advertising on its platform from Feb. 8 to May 9, 2022.

He said it is about time social media companies take more action towards responsibility, particularly against trolls who spread fake news against candidates.

Lacson and running mate Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, who is running for Vice President under the Nationalist People's Coalition, noted that in Australia, there is proposed legislation to unmask online trolls by holding social media giants like Facebook and Twitter responsible for identifying them.

In the meantime, Lacson and Sotto said they will continue with their brand of campaigning that seeks to uplift the level of discourse.

Lacson said they will stick to issues and not personalities as far as their campaigning is concerned, and not go down to the level of gutter politics.

He also debunked claims that they are "playing safe" by not attacking political rivals, saying he and Sotto would continue to call out those involved in wrongdoing, so long as there is sufficient basis.

"We stick to issues. We have never 'played safe' in our public service career. We always take the risk no matter who gets hurt. Sa budget scrutiny pag nakita ko ay abuso sa insertions and all ganoon pa rin (We stick to issues, we have never played safe in our public service career. We take the risk no matter who gets hurt. In the scrutiny of the budget, if I see abuses in insertions, I still call out those responsible)," he added.

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Made in the Philippines! Lacson to Fight for Local Shipping Industry

Made in the Philippines! Lacson to Fight for Local Shipping Industry

December 2, 2021 - As part of his "Made in the Philippines" campaign, Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson will put a premium on granting incentives to the Philippine shipping industry for prioritizing local production and labor, should he win the May 2022 elections.

Lacson, who is running for President under Partido Reporma, also assured the public he opposes opening the shipping industry to 100-percent foreign ownership, due to concerns on national security and food security problems.

"Let’s incentivize and motivate the local shipping industry. It’s part of our platform of government," Lacson said in a virtual Kapihan with representatives of the shipping industry.

"We want to revive the 'Filipino First' policy not only in the shipping industry but in the food industry as well. We tend to be less dependent on importation and patronize more local products and services," he added.

He noted that if the shipping industry opens up to 100 percent ownership instead of the 60-40 local-foreign sharing allowed in the Constitution, "it will kill" our local shipping industry.

Besides, he said there is jurisprudence as the Supreme Court, in a 2003 ruling, defines public utility as one that regularly supplies the public with crucial services.

Lacson said this is the position he is taking on the Public Services Act being tackled by the Senate.

"I am taking the position that we should not open up our transport service to 100% ownership. That’s clearly a public utility regularly supplying the public with services," he said.

For his part, Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III - who is running for Vice President under the Nationalist People's Coalition - said shipping is still considered a public utility, and is not in the list of industries or sectors being liberalized.

On the other hand, Lacson said that if the Philippines opens up its shipping sector to full foreign ownership, "imagine how many ships can be sent to the West Philippine Sea not only within our exclusive economic zone but in the 12-nautical mile limit."

"Where will our fishermen go? As it is now, it is a national security and food security problem. I hope majority of our colleagues will be convinced to support our position along with the position of Sen. Ralph Recto," he said.

"We will fight for it," he added.

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Revolting, Unacceptable! Lacson Scores Food Security Implications of Chinese Bullying at WPS

Revolting, Unacceptable! Lacson Scores Food Security Implications of Chinese Bullying at WPS

December 2, 2021 - Revolting and unacceptable!

This was how Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson scored the implications of China's continued bullying in the West Philippine Sea on our food security, such that the Philippines has to import galunggong from China, with much of the fish likely taken from our exclusive economic zone there.

"Bukod sa national security, food security concern ito kasi dikit sa sikmura ng kababayan natin yan (Aside from national security, China's continued presence at the WPS has food security concerns. And this hits much closer to home)," he said at the weekly LACSON-SOTTO media forum.

He added that the aggression by China has denied Filipino fishermen the ability to fish "in our own waters."

Citing figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Lacson said the WPS can yield 300,000 metric tons or 300 million kilos of fish in one year.

With one Filipino family consuming 40 kilos of fish in one year, Lacson said up to 7.5 million Filipino families may have been denied their fish meals in one year.

At a virtual Kapihan with members of the shipping industry also on Thursday, Lacson said he found it revolting that the Philippines has to import galunggong from China.

"I could not imagine for the life of me that we will import galunggong from China. It is revolting that the galunggong are imported from China," he said.

"It’s a P33-billion-a-year livelihood for our fishermen. Because of the incursions of Chinese vessels, we are denied 300,000 metric tons of fish... If you divide 30 million kilos of fish by 40 kilos, that would translate to 7.5 million Filipino families bumibili from other sources na isda (who have to buy fish from sources other than the Philippines). That’s unacceptable," he added.

Late last November, Lacson filed Senate Resolution 954 condemning the continued presence and hostile acts of Chinese vessels in the WPS. This is in support of Senate Bill 2289 co-authored by Lacson and Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, which defines the Philippines' maritime areas.

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LACSON-SOTTO “MEET THE PRESS” | December 2, 2021

  LACSON-SOTTO “MEET THE PRESS” | December 2, 2021

(Please Watch and Share)

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Ping Lacson 2022 Campaign Original Jingle

 Ping Lacson 2022 Campaign Original Jingle

(Please Watch and Share)

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Who SHOULD remain standing among the PRESIDENTIABLES after May 9, 2022 national elections?

Who SHOULD remain standing among the PRESIDENTIABLES after May 9, 2022 national elections?

I believe the person who possesses ALL (repeat ALL) of the following SHOULD be the winner:

(1.) EXCELLENT track record in ALL the government positions s/he held

(2.) NO ill - gotten wealth

(3.) NO pending court cases

(4.) CLEAR, DETAILED, & PRACTICAL platform that aligns well with the current national problems & corresponding solutions.

(5.) IN DEPTH understanding of the NATIONAL BUDGET

(6.) ABILITY to contain "military or police upheaval"

(7.) ABILITY to support "good projects" even if the proponent is NOT a party mate; ABILITY to disapprove "bad projects" even if the proponent is a party mate.

nota bene: You may add other factors/criterion applicable to ALL presidentiables....then "give" the corresponding score OBJECTIVELY. This will help you pick the BEST candidate on election day.

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Lacson proposes to cut over P9-B in ‘questionable’ appropriations under 2022 budget

 Lacson proposes to cut over P9-B in ‘questionable’ appropriations under 2022 budget

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday disclosed his proposed amendments to the 2022 national budget, including increases for education programs, among others, and the slashing of a total of over P9 billion in “questionable” appropriations.

Lacson, in a statement, said he proposed the reduction of funds for items such as farm-to-market roads and right-of-way payments, to fund key programs on education, connectivity, anti-cybercrime, and defense needs for the coming year.

Among the senator’s proposed amendments submitted to the Senate finance committee includes a P1.97-billion decrease in the proposed appropriations for farm-to-market roads under the Department of Agriculture (DA).

His proposal will reduce the funding for the project from the P6.95 billion allocated in the House version of the budget to P4.98 billion, as specified in the National Expenditure Program.

Lacson noted that under the Supreme Court’s Mandanas ruling and Executive Order No. 138, mandating full devolution of functions, implementation of farm-to-market programs should be transferred to local government units.

Further, the senator said: “There was no consultation” made with the DA before the funding for the project was increased under the House version.

Lacson also proposed the following decreases to the 2022 budget:

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

P2-billion reduction for the National Greening Program, from P3.68 billion to P1.68 billion due to “adverse” Commission on Audit performance audit in 2019

Department of Public Works and Highways

P1-billion deduction from P3.01 billion in Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) for the routine maintenance of national roads

P200-million deduction from P710 million for the routine maintenance of public buildings

P500-million deduction from the P1.61-billion allocation for flood control and drainage systems

P1.36-billion deduction from the P4.56-billion allocation in the central office for preliminary engineering/detailed engineering of various DPWH projects

P300-million deduction from the P800 million for feasibility study including business case study for potential Public-Private Partnership projects

P600-million deduction from P1.6-billion allocation for parcellary surveys, land appraisal and titling of public infrastructures (including taxes)

P500-million deduction from right-of-way payments for various ongoing and future projects

P100-million deduction from EDSA rehabilitation and improvement

P500-million deduction in lump sums

P44-million deduction from each regional allocation for structural improvement of public buildings and construction of evacuation centers, totaling P704 million

Lacson’s proposed amendments also include some P300 million to improve the facilities in Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.

He submitted an amendment to the 2022 budget to increase by P1 billion funding for the “connectivity load” for teachers and Department of Education (DepEd) personnel to deliver online lessons amid the pandemic.

He also sought a P1-billion increase to the National Broadband Program under the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

Lacson likewise introduced a special provision allowing local government units to directly contract the services of transport cooperatives to empower local government units to co-implement, collect fares and co-finance service contracting.

“This would lighten the load of the Department of Transportation and speed up the implementation of the PUV Modernization Program as the transport sectors may properly be represented by their respective LGUs. This would also ensure that the drivers are given fair wage and humane working conditions,” he added.

Lacson also proposed the following increases to the 2022 national budget:

Department of Education

P500-million increase in Quick Response Fund to P2.5 billion to augment funding for the repair and reconstruction costs of 8,706 classrooms damaged by Typhoon Rolly as well as to defray the costs for repair and reconstruction of damages incurred by public classrooms in recent years

P35-million increase in Indigenous People’s Education Program to P86.47 million

P425-million increase in Flexible Learning Options to P15.64 billion

P90-million increase in Special Education Program to P451.20 million

P550-million increase in Inclusive Education Program to P16.59 billion

P22.145-million increase to the Child Protection Program to P26.72 million

P1-billion increase in the Last Mile Schools Program to P2.5 billion

Philippine National Police

P300 million for PNP One Network

P100 million for operations and intelligence capabilities of the Anti-Kidnapping Group

P20 million for the implementation of the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act

Department of National Defense

Additional P15.11 million to fund the National Defense College of the Philippines

For the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Lacson sought a P444.32-million increase to the budget of the Philippine Navy; P50.35 million for enhancement of maritime seaboards; and P262 million for the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office.

Lacson also proposed amendments to increase funding for projects and programs under the Department of Science and Technology and the Commission on Higher Education as well as a P100-million increase for the Supreme Court’s legal aid subsidy to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

He likewise sought a P322-million increase in the Philippine Coast Guard budget and P247.49 million to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for the construction of one of its regional offices, purchase of laboratory equipment, among others.

The senator, meanwhile, proposed a P178.5-million increase for the Child Welfare Prevention and Elimination Program under the budget of the Department of Labor and Employment.

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SEE THE DIFFERENCE OF LEADERSHIP!

SEE THE DIFFERENCE OF LEADERSHIP!

 

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