Anti-Terrorism Council will not target opposition members, Lacson assures

Anti-Terrorism Council will not target opposition members, Lacson assures

MANILA, Philippines — The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) will not be targetting members of the opposition, Senator Panfilo Lacson assured on Saturday.

Under Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, the ATC will be the implementer of the anti-terror law and will be the one responsible for the identification of individuals or organizations as terrorists.

In a press conference in Dumaguete City, Lacson, who is the principal author of the law, was asked if he can assure that the ATC will not be targeting members of the opposition.

“Nasa batas ‘yon e. Hindi naman tina-target ‘yung opposition e. ‘Pag tinarget ang opposition… Hindi ko alam kung saan naggagaling ‘yung ta-target-in sila. Huwag silang mag-terrorize; ‘wag silang magpasabog; ‘wag silang mag-commmit ng acts of terrorism,” Lacson, a presidential aspirant in the 2022 polls, responded.

(It’s in the law. It is not targeting the opposition… I don’t know where that came from. Don’t terrorize; don’t bomb; don’t commit acts of terrorism.)

“Maski sino naman (Whoever they are), whether they’re members of the opposition, where there are sympathizers of the [Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army]; whether you’re members of media; whether you’re members of Congress, if you commit acts of terrorism, you’ll be answerable under the law. So, huwag silang magpaka-special na sila ‘yung ta-target-in—no (don’t act special that they are the target),” he added.

The Supreme Court recently said the controversial anti-terror law is constitutional except for two portions.

Lacson added that even with some parts declared as being unconstitutional, the anti-terror law is still a “win” for peace.

For his part, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Lacson’s running mate in next year’s elections, likened the parts of the anti-terror law that were ruled as being unconstitutional by the Supreme Court to that of the human body’s appendix.

“Again, Section 4 and Section 29 were never struck down. A one-liner in both sections was struck down, which was—kumbaga sa katawan ng tao (if likened to a person’s body)—appendix. Pwedeng wala, ganoon po ang nangyari doon (It could be there or not),” he said.

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Atty. Winston Garcia Fully Support LACSON-SOTTO for 2022!!!

Atty. Winston Garcia Fully Support LACSON-SOTTO for 2022!!!

 

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Ping Lacson at Tito Sotto | Online Kumustahan sa Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental | Dec. 11, 2021

 Ping Lacson at Tito Sotto | Online Kumustahan sa Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental | Dec. 11, 2021

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👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

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The Presidential Candidate Sen Ping Lacson said

The Presidential Candidate Sen Ping Lacson said

"The ultimate test of a person's character: give him power and offer him money. If he passes the test, he is the leader we need," the presidential candidate said.

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Lacson asks voters to choose right leader for country

Lacson asks voters to choose right leader for country

PRESIDENTIAL aspirant Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson on Friday said that before the next leader can lead the Philippines out of its predicament, he must first be elected by the voters.

Lacson, who is running for president under Partido Reporma, stressed this as he noted the country faces a whopping P13.42-trillion debt by the time the next administration takes over.

"Each and every living Filipino, rich or poor, young or old will pay for it. The heavy burden falls on the country's next leaders. The responsibility is on the voters to choose those leaders. Think of the next generation. Be wise. Be responsible," Lacson said on his Twitter account.

Lacson had said the national debt is one of the problems the next leader will face, along with the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) on health and the economy, unemployment, corruption, and the dispute in the West Philippine Sea.

He said he plans to address these problems with a no-nonsense leadership anchored on discipline and leadership by example.

He shared that he will also initiate much-needed budget reforms to make sure public money is spent properly, as well as download them to the local government units to implement priority programs, activities and projects.

Lacson and his running mate, Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto 3rd who is running under the Nationalist People's Coalition, have anchored their campaign on presenting before the public their solutions to the problems plaguing the nation.

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Lacson, Sotto meet with Cebu businessman Winston Garcia

Lacson, Sotto meet with Cebu businessman Winston Garcia

Presidential aspirant Senator Ping Lacson and his running mate Senate President Tito Sotto met with Cebu businessman Winston Garcia, who is also the brother of Cebu governor Gwen Garcia.

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 10) — Presidential aspirant Senator Ping Lacson and his running mate Senate President Tito Sotto met with Cebu businessman Winston Garcia, who is also the brother of Cebu governor Gwen Garcia.

Lacson's camp, citing a media interview, on Friday said younger Garcia called the tandem his "sentimental favorite" and the "most decent so far" among those vying for the country's top posts in next year's elections.

"We'll seek the endorsement of everyone from the governor to the lowest member of the government, but more importantly, ang makapangyarihang mamamayan ng (the powerful citizens of) Cebu," Sotto told reporters at his campaign headquarters earlier.

Lacson stressed that though they seek the support of all sectors, the tandem's self-respect, dignity, and principles will remain intact.

Garcia was also the former manager and president of the Government Service Insurance System from January 2001 to September 2010.

His sister, Gov. Garcia, recently said she is not yet endorsing any presidential aspirant despite previously meeting with former senator Bongbong Marcos in October.

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Lacson-Sotto tandem respects party members’ criticisms of rival bets

 Lacson-Sotto tandem respects party members’ criticisms of rival bets

MANILA, Philippines — While Senator Panfilo Lacson and his running mate Senate President Vicente Sotto III will not criticize other possible candidates in the 2022 national elections, they would respect the sentiments aired by party members on the activities of their rivals.

According to Lacson, both he and Sotto maintain their stand that they would not be speaking about the “missteps” of other candidates. Lacson made the remark after he was asked during the Meet the Press forum on Thursday about his comment on the caravan held by former senator Bongbong Marcos and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Like Lacson and Sotto, Marcos and Duterte-Carpio are also running for president and vice president, respectively, in the upcoming polls.

“Kami ni Senate President, we always maintain our position not to criticize kung ano man ‘yong missteps na na-commit ng ibang tandems,” Lacson told reporters.

But he also clarified that members of parties affiliated with their tandem need not follow — like former LPGMA party-list Rep. Arnel Ty who criticized the Marcos-Duterte caravan that caused a monstrous traffic jam on Commonwealth Avenue on Wednesday.

Ty is currently the treasurer of Partido Reporma, the party to where Lacson belongs to.

“Now ‘yong aming treasurer, si Congressman Arnel Ty ng Partido Reporma, naglabas siya ng isang kalatas na sinasabi do’n, inii-slam niya ‘yong nangyari kahapon. Siguro dahil ‘yong mga miyembro nila tinamaan dahil sa matinding traffic,” Lacson explained.

“So while we do not criticize kung ano man ‘yong pagkakamali o — rightly or wrongly no, pagkakamali ng ibang tandem, kami ni Senate President will always stick to our position, that we will never criticize […] however, kami rin, nirerespeto rin namin ‘yong mga individual, ‘yong mga personal opinion, na mas que sinong tao, whether or not member sila ng aming political parties,” he added.

Lacson thinks that Sotto would also do the same if a member of the party that he belongs to, the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), will be doing the same.

“Kung manggaling ‘yong kritisismo galing sa isang miyembro o opisyal ng [NPC], palagay ko naman si Senate President hindi niya rin naman pipigilin din ‘yon kasi maaaring iba ‘yong perspective, iba ‘yong pinanggagalingan kasi baka naka-experience ng personal ng paghihirap kahapon,” he added.

On Wednesday morning — a non-working holiday — Marcos and Duterte-Carpio staged a caravan in Quezon City. Huge crowds gathered to welcome the two aspirants and left big portions of Commonwealth Avenue blocked.

Ty said in a statement that there were working-class citizens who woke up expecting better traffic conditions due to the holiday but ended up being troubled by the heavy traffic flow in the said area.

“Partido Reporma laments that in the time of pandemic, there are politicians who still subscribe to that kind of politics where common decency and basic social conventions are being swept under the rug for political expediency,” Ty said.

“We are hoping that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Comelec (Commission on Election) would seriously take a look at this issue, as Partido Reporma has been doing its best to play fair this election season with the utmost respect to the sentiments and safety of our countrymen,” he added.

In a statement, the Quezon City government said the organizers of the caravan did not coordinate with city officials.

The Marcos camp issued an apology for the incident.

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Lacson-Sotto tandem to trim down Senate slate from 15 to 12

Lacson-Sotto tandem to trim down Senate slate from 15 to 12

Presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo Lacson and his runningmate Senate President Vicente Sotto III visit Cebu with some of aspirants in their Senate slate.

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo Lacson and his running mate Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Friday they are eyeing to trim down their senatorial slate from 15 to 12.

According to Lacson, they currently have 15 names in their initial senatorial lineup. However, this may be slashed to 12 ahead of the campaign season.

“Lampas kasi ang bilang namin. Pino-problema nga namin magtatanggal kami ng dalawa or tatlo para maging 12,” Lacson said in a media briefing in Cebu when asked if they will add President Rodrigo Duterte to their senatorial slate.

(Our count is more than 12. We are thinking about how we may remove two or three candidates so we can have 12.)

“Kasi nung una inisip namin ito yung mga gusto naming manalo pero paano kami magka-campaign ng vote straight e 15? Parang nakakatawa naman,”he added.

(At first, we were just thinking about who we want to win but now, how will we campaign for “vote straight” if there are 15? That’s funny.)

Lacson said his party Partido Reporma currently has three candidates for senator while Sotto’s Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) has six candidates.

“Siyam na ‘yun so ang  opening na lang namin tatlo. May mga colleagues na gusto sumama sa amin na at least dalawa. Meron pang returning or comebacking na gusto rin sumama so ‘yun ang pinaga-aralan natin ngayon,” Lacson said.

(That’s already nine so that leaves an opening of three. We have colleagues who want to join us, that’s at least two. There are also returning senators who want to join so we are looking at it now.)

Asked how they are planning to trim down their senatorial slate, Lacson said it will be based on “like-mindedness” with their platform.

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Lacson: Decision to waive rights under bank secrecy law would be first act if elected

 Lacson: Decision to waive rights under bank secrecy law would be first act if elected

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 9) — The tandem of Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson and Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III held their seventh meet the press event Thursday, addressing issues they intend to tackle should they be elected to the county's top posts.

Lacson said his first official act would be to waive his rights under the Bank Secrecy Law, an issue he brought up earlier, and something Sotto said he would do as well.

However, Lacson stressed he would do this to prove that he was serious about transparency.

"I will take the lead and I will lead by example by first day, yun ang gagwin ko...para maipakita na itong gobyernong ito transparent at saka we mean business," he said.

[Translation: What I will do is take the lead and I will lead by example by first day...so I can show that this government is transparent and that we mean business.]

He added this was not meant to be a challenge for other aspirants, but rather was a personal decision. He said he has repeatedly filed a bill which provides that those who enter public service would have their rights under the bank secrecy act "deemed waived."

"So, I'm just being consistent. But to challenge the others, no. I will not challenge them. It's personal; it's a personal decision they will have to make," said Lacson.

'Wholistic approach'

Meanwhile, Sotto said he and Lacson would take on a "wholistic approach" in dealing with the issue of illegal drugs.

"You will never solve the problem of illegal drugs if you do not solve the problem of drug abuse. Those are two different things. I call them two different animals," he said at the same briefing.

Sotto said the measures for prevention and the rehabilitation of users should be substantial to stop buyers.

"Bottomline lang...kahit sunugin mo lahat ng droga sa Pilipinas, lahat ng pusher patayin mo — whether naka tsinelas o naka sapatos — pagka may drug dependent, hahanap yun ng drug to abuse... therefore, you will never be able to solve it if you do not solve the problem of drug abuse," he said,

[Translation: The bottomline is even if you burn all the drugs in the country, even of you kill all the pushers — whether they wear slippers or shoes — as long as there are drug dependents, they will find drugs to abuse... therefore, you will never be able to solve it if you do not solve the problem of drug abuse.]

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SEN PING LACSON and SPEAKER PANTALEON ALVAREZ at the blessing and inauguration of PARTIDO REPORMA HQ in CEBU

SEN PING LACSON and SPEAKER PANTALEON ALVAREZ at the blessing and inauguration of PARTIDO REPORMA HQ in CEBU

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‘You cannot demand it’: Lacson, Sotto won’t seek endorsement from Duterte

‘You cannot demand it’: Lacson, Sotto won’t seek endorsement from Duterte

Partido Reporma standard bearer Panfilo Lacson and vice presidential aspirant Senate President Vicente Sotto III attend a press conference in Cebu on December 10, 2021.

CEBU CITY - Partido Reporma standard bearer Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Friday said he would not actively seek the endorsement of President Rodrigo Duterte and other incumbent politicians to boost his chances of winning the 2022 presidential elections.

Lacson likened a political endorsement to respect, saying both things should be earned, and never demanded.

"We will not seek it openly. May tinatawag tayong self-respect (we have this thing called self-respect)," he told reporters when asked if he plans to court the President's endorsement.

"Campaigning is all about seeking endorsement from the people pero hindi 'yung parang nagmamakawa ka na (but not to the point of begging)," he said.

The policy on not actively seeking an endorsement also covers other incumbent politicians, the senator said.

"It also applies to others. Nakagawian na namin ni Senate President (We have been used) to do it in our own efforts," he said.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III - who is seeking the vice presidency - said their tandem is more keen on securing endorsements from voters.

"Endorsements are good, but we need votes," Sotto said.

"We will seek the endorsement of everybody as much as possible from the governor to the lowest member of government," he said

Several other presidential aspirants have been vocal about their openness to get Duterte's backing for the upcoming 2022 national elections after Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go - the President's long-time aide - said he was backing out from the presidential race.

While Go has announced his plan to step down from the race, he has yet to submit official documents to the Commission on Elections to formalize the withdrawal.

Lacson and Sotto has been going around the country to touch base with local leaders and voters, but the tandem underscored that they are not trying to court endorsements from local chief executives.

"We’re not seeking their endorsement, we are explaining to them our platforms," Lacson said.

"Kung hindi namin makuha ang endorsement, we have to work harder and go down to the grassroots."

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