Lacson: Verification of Candidates' YouTube Accounts a Much-Needed Step vs Disinformation

Lacson: Verification of Candidates' YouTube Accounts a Much-Needed Step vs Disinformation

December 13, 2021 - A much-needed and welcome move.

This was how Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson described the Commission on Elections' move to verify the official YouTube accounts of candidates for the 2022 elections.

Lacson, who is running for President under Partido Reporma, said social media platforms have the potential to misinform the public if they are left unchecked.

"I couldn't agree more with the Comelec on this move. The use of social media platforms has almost become the qualifying barometer in educating - but ironically, also disinforming to the point of deceiving - our people," he said.

Also, Lacson expressed hope that similar moves to encourage responsibility and accountability on other social media platforms can be done soonest, or at least before the campaign period starts in February next year.

This will help greatly in preparing Filipino voters to select the right leader on May 9, 2022, he added.

"Left unchecked, social media could lead to wrong choices of officials who will have the unenviable task of leading our country in its most trying times," he said.

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LACSON-SOTTO HEADLINES NGAYON DISYEMBRE 13, 2021

LACSON-SOTTO HEADLINES NGAYON DISYEMBRE 13, 2021

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Lacson-Sotto Tandem Offers 'Concrete, Implementable and Future-Proof' Strategy

Lacson-Sotto Tandem Offers 'Concrete, Implementable and Future-Proof' Strategy

December 13, 2021 - Concrete, implementable, and future-proof.

These three words characterize the platform of government being offered to Filipinos by Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson and Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III.

Lacson said these will lead to good governance, which is the only thing that can unlock the potential of the Filipino people.

"Senate President Sotto and I present ourselves as your Presidential and Vice Presidential aspirants with a concrete, implementable, and future-proof strategy not only to make us survive, but more importantly, to make us thrive as a nation," Lacson said at a lunch with local government and business leaders in Dumaguete City over the weekend.

"We have our greatest asset in this country, our people. You, the business sector, the youth, local government officials. Yan ang greatest asset natin na hindi nata-tap (You are the greatest assets that have yet to be tapped). Unfortunately I'm sorry we don’t have good governance," he said.

He said their program of government is anchored on bureaucratic and fiscal discipline, as well as leadership by example. Lacson is running under Partido Reporma while Sotto is running under the Nationalist People's Coalition.

Lacson said the country now faces very serious problems such that voters cannot afford to vote for the wrong candidates - including those who resort to entertainment instead of presenting their platforms of government.

"We’re selling ourselves but in a way that we present our platform of government. We don't resort to entertainment," he said.

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Lacson to PNP: Solve Journalist's Murder ASAP

Lacson to PNP: Solve Journalist's Murder ASAP

December 12, 2021 (CATARMAN, Northern Samar) - "One life lost is one life too many."

Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson thus exhorted the Philippine National Police Sunday to act with dispatch in solving the murder of journalist Jesus "Jess" Malabanan in Calbayog City in Samar last Dec. 8.

Lacson, who headed the PNP from 1999 to 2001, noted it has been the police agency's policy to prevent crimes - or if it failed to do so, to at least solve them soonest.

"If you cannot prevent, at least solve mo ang hindi mo na-prevent (If you cannot prevent a crime, at least solve what you failed to prevent)," he said at a press briefing here.

He said the formation of a task group to solve Malabanan's murder is "the first right move," but added the police must "act with dispatch."

"Ang problema, kailangan with dispatch ma-solve ang kaso ni Malabanan (The priority now is to solve the case with dispatch)," he said.

Lacson, who is running for President under Partido Reporma, visited this province Sunday along with his Vice Presidential candidate Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, who is running under the Nationalist People's Coalition.

With them were Partido Reporma senatorial bets Minguita Padilla, Guillermo Eleazar, and Monsour del Rosario.

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Digitalization to Have Key Role in Development of NPA-Cleared Areas Under Lacson Presidency

Digitalization to Have Key Role in Development of NPA-Cleared Areas Under Lacson Presidency

December 12, 2021 (CATARMAN, Northern Samar) - Digitalization and a data-driven approach will be prioritized in the government's efforts to bring development to areas cleared of the New People's Army (NPA), under the presidency of Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson.

Lacson said the government cannot afford to implement poorly the development of cleared barangays, lest disgruntled residents join the NPAs again.

"Napakaganda ng concept, ang objective ng NTF-ELCAC. Ang problema, implementation. Kailangan may barangay development program pero hindi na-implement. Kakapiraso lang (The NTF-ELCAC had a very good concept and objective. But the problem was in the implementation. It should have carried out the development projects in barangays cleared of NPAs but it did not quite do so)," Lacson said at a press conference here Sunday.

He cited Senate records indicating that only 26 out of more than 2,000 NTF-ELCAC projects - or just one percent - had been completed so far.

This is aside from the questionable distribution of funds to barangays, including the non-allocation of development funds to barangays that need them, and vice-versa.

Lacson said that with digitalization and a data-driven approach, the government can move faster in allocating the needed resources to the barangays needing development projects.

"So again, dapat laging data-driven, oras na gagalaw ang executive branch. Dapat naka base sa data at bilisan ang pag-process. Kaya kasama sa programa namin digitalization para mabilis ang pagproseso ng gobyerno. Napakaraming problema pagdating sa implementation (Again, we need a data-driven approach so government can be more responsive. That's why digitalization is part of our program. We have seen so many problems in the implementation of government programs)," he said.

For his part, Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said the strategy is to implement properly and distribute what the government has promised.

"It’s really a matter of implementation. There is much to be desired as far as implementation and execution is concerned," Sotto said, adding he and Lacson need the chance to properly implement the laws they passed in Congress.

"Tingin namin kung kami bigyan ng pagkakataon mag-implement, ma-implement namin nang mabilis at tama (If Sen. Lacson and I have the chance to implement the laws, we can do it right)," Sotto added.

Lacson is running for President under Partido Reporma while Sotto, his vice presidential candidate, is running under the Nationalist People's Coalition. They arrived here Sunday with Partido Reporma senatorial bets Minguita Padilla, Monsour del Rosario, and Guillermo Eleazar.

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Lacson: Presidency a Responsibility, Not an Obsession

Lacson: Presidency a Responsibility, Not an Obsession

December 12, 2021 - The presidency is a calling and a responsibility to the Filipino people, and should not be an obsession.

Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson stressed this on Sunday as he noted those who make the presidency an obsession resort to lying, destroying others - or making fools of themselves.

"If you make the presidency an obsession, you will lie, deceive, destroy others, even make a fool of yourself to win it. Best to treat is as a calling, a responsibility and an obligation to the people," he said in a post on his Twitter account Sunday morning, before heading for Catarman in Northern Samar for his and Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III's Online Kumustahan.

Lacson is running for President under Partido Reporma, with Sotto as his Vice President under the Nationalist People's Coalition.

Earlier, Lacson pointed out that going for the presidency is a sacred duty - thus the need to prepare for the job by consulting experts in various fields while helping the electorate become more mature.

He added this is why he and Sotto present their platform of government to the public instead of resorting to "entertainment politics," as well as refrain from speaking ill of other aspirants.

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LACSON-SOTTO HEADLINES NGAYON DISYEMBRE 12, 2021

LACSON-SOTTO HEADLINES NGAYON DISYEMBRE 12, 2021

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Lacson Supports '60-40' Joint Ventures to Explore Energy Resources in WPS

Lacson Supports '60-40' Joint Ventures to Explore Energy Resources in WPS

December 12, 2021 (DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental) - There is no time to waste in exploring and harnessing the energy sources in our part of the West Philippine Sea.

On this note, Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson said he supports a joint venture with other countries in exploring and harnessing such energy sources, so long as they follow the 60-40 formula in the Philippine Constitution.

"I’m supportive of a joint exploration with any country, not necessarily China. We don’t have the wherewithal or technical expertise to explore oil," the Partido Reporma standard-bearer said at a lunch with local government officials and local business leaders here.

Citing information he received, Lacson said there are at least 200 billion barrels of oil in Area 72 in the Philippines' part of the West Philippine Sea.

"Just imagine if we can harness such oil and natural gas resources, what it can do to the Philippines as a country economically," he said.

Lacson said that while these energy sources are within the Philippines' territory and exclusive economic zone in the WPS, the Philippines lacks the technical and financial resources to explore them on its own.

But he maintained that what is important is that the Philippines' partner will follow our Constitution's 60-40 provision.

Under Sec. 2, Art. XII of the 1987 Constitution, the State "may enter into co-production, joint venture, or production-sharing agreements with Filipino citizens, or corporations or associations at least sixty per centum of whose capital is owned by such citizens."

Meanwhile, Lacson maintained the Philippines' foreign policy must remain anchored on our own national interest - "but directed at strengthening our alliances with equally powerful countries like China."

He said China's bullying in the West Philippine Sea has resulted in a triple whammy affecting our national security, food security and economic security

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Lacson: One Moment of Vote-Selling Will Lead to 6 Years of Misery

Lacson: One Moment of Vote-Selling Will Lead to 6 Years of Misery

December 12, 2021 (DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental) - The one moment you sell your vote could lead to six years or more of misery.

Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson thus reminded voters Saturday against accepting offers of money from candidates and their camps in exchange for their votes on May 9, 2022.

Lacson pointed out that only a leader who can show good governance can unlock the potential of the Filipino people to become our country's greatest asset - and improve our lives over the next six years.

"Iniisip nila out of desperation, 'Tama na ito, for one week I can survive with P2,000 to P3,000' but not knowing that three or six years hence, ang living condition, naroon ang misery ng buhay (Out of desperation, some may accept the money offered - about P2,000 to P3,000 - to make ends meet for one week. But they do not know that for the next three to six years, they will be stuck living miserable lives)," Lacson, who is running for President under Partido Reporma, said at a lunch with local government officials and local business leaders here.

Should the wrong candidates win due to vote-buying, they might not only fail to address the humongous problems besetting our country - they might even worsen our lot, he warned.

Thus, Lacson said all Filipinos who are eligible to vote must "wake up to the reality" that it is up to them to make a difference for the next six years by choosing the right leader. "It’s all up to you, it’s all up to us. We should choose wisely our next leaders," he stressed.

Currently, Lacson lamented there is a lack of good governance at present, as the budget is being misused instead of going to priority programs such as the full implementation of the Universal Health Care Act.

"We have our greatest asset in this country, our people. You, the business sector, the youth, local government officials. Yan ang greatest asset natin na hindi nata-tap (You are the greatest assets that have yet to be tapped). Unfortunately I'm sorry we don’t have good governance," he said.

Lacson said he and his Vice Presidential bet Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, who is running under the Nationalist People's Coalition, are presenting themselves to the Filipinos with a "concrete, implementable and future-proof strategy not only to make us survive - but more importantly, to make us thrive as a nation."

He said their program of government is anchored on bureaucratic and fiscal discipline, as well as leadership by example. Only the good governance stemming from this can unlock the potential our people, he added.

"We’re selling ourselves but in a way that we present our platform of government. We don't resort to entertainment," he said.

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Lacson Warns Rights Abusers under Anti-Terror Law: You Will be Held Liable

Lacson Warns Rights Abusers under Anti-Terror Law: You Will be Held Liable

December 12, 2021 - The law is the law and there should be no "special treatment," but those who violate human rights must be held accountable and even criminally liable.

Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson stressed this as he said the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 should penalize only those committing acts of terrorism.

"No matter who you are, if you commit acts of terrorism, you will be answerable under the law. The law is the law. Walang target ito kundi ang nagko-commit ng acts of terrorism (The law is the law. It should target no one else but those committing acts of terrorism)," Lacson said at a news conference in Dumaguete City Saturday afternoon.

Lacson, one of the authors and the sponsor of the measure in the Senate, earlier welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling that deemed the law still constitutional overall.

But he also warned that those who violate human rights - including those potentially abusing their authority to implement the law - will be held accountable and liable.

"A human rights violation is a human rights violation. People responsible for violating the human rights of others must be held accountable and criminally liable," he said.

On the other hand, Lacson questioned some groups for casting aspersions on the high court's ruling.

"First they were claiming victory. Next they claim partial victory. Now they are whining and saying they will appeal, they are not happy. Which is which? There is no partial victory. This is a victory for peace," he said.

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Lacson-Sotto tandem heads to Cebu

 Lacson-Sotto tandem heads to Cebu

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo Lacson and his running mate, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III headed to the vote-rich province of Cebu Friday morning and are set to attend several activities in the province.

They are also expected to visit Naga City. in Camarines Sur.

Lacson recalled how he became an “Adopted Son of Cebu” for his leadership when he served as commander of the then Philippine Constabulary’s Cebu Metropolitan District Command (MetroDisCom) from 1989 to 1992.

“Importante ang Cebu sa akin. Adopted son ako ng Cebu dahil na-assign ako riyan as MetroDisCom Commander for 28 months, at nag-request sila kay then President Cory Aquino na i-retain ako,” Lacson said in a media forum.

(Cebu is very important to me. I am an ‘adopted son of Cebu’ because I was assigned her as MetroDisCom Commander for 28 months and they requested then-President Cory Aquino that I retain my post here.)

“Kaya importante on a personal level na mabisita ang Cebu, to remind them adopted son n’yo ako baka puwede tangkilikin nyo ako,” he added.

(So it is important to me on a personal level that I visit Cebu , so I can ‘remind’ the people that I am an adopted son of the province)

Sotto, for his part, stressed the importance of Cebu, saying that the results in the province ”has a trickle-down effect on the entire Region 7.”

“It’s not only important, it is critical… My family on my father’s side comes from Cebu,” Sotto said.

Cebu tops the list of vote-rich provinces in the country with over 3 million voters. This is followed by Cavite, where Lacson was born, with over 2.1 million voters.

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