LACSON-SOTTO ONLINE KUMUSTAHAN DECEMBER 18, 2021

LACSON-SOTTO ONLINE KUMUSTAHAN DECEMBER 18, 2021

 

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I LOVE MY OWN, MY NATIVE LAND!

 I LOVE MY OWN, MY NATIVE LAND!

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Lacson Takes Up Cudgels for Filipino Farmers Threatened by Korean Strawberry Entry, High Soya Prices

Lacson Takes Up Cudgels for Filipino Farmers Threatened by Korean Strawberry Entry, High Soya Prices

December 14, 2021 - "Why are you killing your fellow Filipinos? Gusto nyo mawalan ng hanapbuhay ang kababayan natin sa La Trinidad (Do you want our farmers in La Trinidad to lose their livelihood)?"

Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson directed this question Tuesday at the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) for allowing the "invasion" or importation of Korean strawberries into the country, at the expense of strawberry farmers in La Trinidad.

Lacson also echoed the concerns of the La Trinidad farmers that the entry of strawberries from Korea may also introduce pests and diseases that may affect Philippine agriculture.

"We are killing the local industry. Why import strawberries and carrots when we have strawberries and carrots here? I think your commitment to your fellow Filipinos should be more important than your commitment with importers," he told BPI's Ariel Bayot.

Also, Lacson rejected the reported claim by the BPI that it allows the importation of Korean strawberries because they have a different target market compared to La Trinidad strawberries.

Korean strawberries are reportedly sold at P1,500 per kilo while those from La Trinidad are sold at P200 per kilo. However, strawberries from Korea instead of those from La Trinidad are made available in high-end retail outlets.

Adding insult to injury, Lacson stressed, is that the importation is happening now during the peak season for strawberries. "Para kayo nananadya (It's as if you're doing this on purpose)," he told the BPI.

"Ang worry dito ng mga taga-La Trinidad, hindi lang ang influx ng smuggled agricultural products. Pag napasukan pa ng peste, yan pa isang concern kasi hindi dumadaan sa inspection (The worry of farmers especially in La Trinidad in Benguet is not just the influx of smuggled agricultural products. They are also concerned about agricultural pests that manage to slip past our authorities' inspection)," Lacson added.

Meanwhile, Lacson urged the DA to extend intervention to farmers who face the prospect of fertilizer prices being doubled due to the rising prices of soya despite the downward movement of soya prices in the international market.

"Whatever assistance you can render. Tataas ang meat products na locally produced, tataas din ang presyo ng gulay. Kailangan ng intervention (Whatever assistance you can render, do it because prices of local vegetables and meat products could go up. Intervention is needed)," he said.

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Lacson Scores Unabated Agricultural Smuggling Despite 'Overregulation'

Lacson Scores Unabated Agricultural Smuggling Despite 'Overregulation'

December 14, 2021 - We're already overregulated, but agricultural smuggling still goes unabated.

Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson thus scored Tuesday the unabated smuggling of agricultural products into the Philippines despite so many laws and procedures in place to stop it.

He reiterated it is high time the Bureau of Customs completed its efforts to automate its systems to stop the corruption that has allowed such smuggling.

"Ang legitimate, overregulated. Ang illegal, walang regulation (Legitimate importers have a hard time due to overregulation. But the illegal ones don't have to put up with regulations)," Lacson said at the Senate Committee of the Whole's hearing on the issue.

Lacson said that if the BOC can be like other countries where all systems are fully automated, there would be little if any room for bribery and smuggling.

"That’s the ideal situation. Kung ganoon sana mangyari magdoble sana revenues natin (That's the ideal situation where there is no human contact in transactions. If we can do this, our revenues will double)," he said.

Customs commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero agreed with Lacson, saying they are working to make their systems "faceless and contactless."

Lacson noted the regulations of the government - from registering business names with the Department of Trade and Industry, to getting mayors' permits, accreditation with the Bureau of Customs and Securities and Exchange Commission, to enlistment by the Department of Agriculture food safety regulatory authority as an importer, among others - should make it difficult if not impossible for smuggling.

Meanwhile, Lacson questioned as well why the DA has two agencies under it that issue Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances (SPSIC) - the National Meat Inspection Service and Bureau of Animal Industry - when only the NMIS is mandated to do so.

"Kaya magulo, kasi masyadong maraming ahensya (It is confusing because so many agencies are given this function)," he said.

"We cannot understand sa dami ng procedures, dadaan sa butas ng karayom, ang daming smuggling. Bakit ang daming carrots, broccoli at imported pork? Ito ang hindi namin maintindihan, lalo ng mga affected, they would never understand (We cannot understand that with the number of procedures such that importers have to pass through the eye of the needle, why is smuggling still rampant? So many carrots, broccoli and imported pork. This is something we will never understand, especially those who are affected)," he added.

"Ang suspetsa ko, hindi inter-agency cooperation. Inter-agency conspiracy, kaya lumulusot (I suspect not inter-agency cooperation but inter-agency conspiracy). I'm not referring to high-level conspiracy, I am referring to the personnel on the ground," Lacson noted.

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Dreading debt

Dreading debt

As of today, our government owes money equivalent to nearly two-thirds of all incomes generated in the economy in a year. The total debt owed by the national government as of the third quarter stood at P11.92 trillion, which is about 63 percent of the projected full-year gross domestic product (GDP) for 2021. The World Bank reported over the weekend the approval of a new $600 million (P30 billion) loan package for the Philippine government. By the time President Duterte hands over power to his successor next year, the national debt is projected to well exceed P13 trillion.

That debt grew by more than half (55 percent) in the last two years, from P7.7 trillion in 2019, even as the overall economy has barely grown since. Like most other governments around the world, increased borrowing was the only recourse to meet the great cost of managing the serious impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on public health and on the economy. In 2019, the total national debt amounted to only 39.6 percent of the P19.5 trillion GDP. Some 16 years before, that national debt, while only P3.36 trillion, was at the historical peak of 78 percent of GDP, and the country was teetering at the edge of financial collapse. The debt burden was so heavy that at its worst, nine out of every ten pesos of revenues collected by the government just went to interest and principal amortization payments for the government’s debt. So the only way to keep the government running to serve the needs of the people was to keep borrowing more.

Fortunately, a country’s national debt is not the same as the debt of a person or family, which must be fully paid off at some point. The difference between a family and the government is that the latter can keep rolling over its debt—that is, borrow new loans to pay off previous ones—indefinitely into the future. Thus, we need not be unduly alarmed at the thought, as some like to (misleadingly) describe it, that every Filipino carries around P107,000 in debt on his/her head (i.e., P11.92 trillion of national debt divided among 111 million Filipinos), as if we’d all have to pay such amount sooner or later.

The other difference is that a government can actually choose to print more money to pay off its debt. Many governments actually did that irresponsibly in the past, but that was before it became more widely understood that doing so indiscriminately would be counterproductive, as it leads to heightened price inflation, even hyperinflation if carried too far. Central banks know that the supply of money in the economy should not outpace the growth of actual production of goods and services (measured by GDP), because “too much money chasing too few goods” will naturally and inevitably push prices up.

The key is to manage debt so that the burden of debt service payments does not overwhelm the government the way it did ours before. In the end, the question boils down to how much debt a country can sustainably carry and not risk a fiscal collapse, or social unrest, or both. A debt-to-GDP ratio of 60 percent is considered the threshold beyond which sustainability is put into question. To stabilize the ratio, debt must not be allowed to grow faster than GDP does.

So where do we stand as far as our ballooning debt is concerned? As the saying goes, misery loves company. The fact is, we are far from alone in seeing public debt escalate in the wake of the pandemic, which flattened economies and shrank tax revenues amid hiked spending needs.

Countries with much higher debt-to-GDP ratios than our current 63 percent include Japan (225 percent), Singapore (150 percent), the United States (135 percent), and Spain (123 percent), although these are strong economies able to collect more taxes relative to GDP than we can. But the other positive factor now in our (and everybody else’s) favor is the relatively low interest rates that help keep debt service costs lower than they used to be in the past.

What’s crucial is that we outgrow our debt, the way we managed to do since our last fiscal crisis, especially after 2010. That means we should make sure the money we borrow effectively leads our economy to grow faster, and to the benefit of all Filipinos.

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Ping Lacson: Ang Daming Regulations, Bakit Tuloy pa Rin ang Agricultural Smuggling?

Ping Lacson: Ang Daming Regulations, Bakit Tuloy pa Rin ang Agricultural Smuggling?

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PJ Garcia not recommending One Cebu to endorse Marcos

 PJ Garcia not recommending One Cebu to endorse Marcos

'As the secretary general of One Cebu and as a lawyer, I cannot advise my party to consider supporting someone whose candidacy is in serious doubt,' says Cebu 3rd District Representative and Deputy Speaker Pablo John Garcia

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu 3rd District Representative and Deputy Speaker Pablo John Garcia said he could not advise his party One Cebu to support former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“As the secretary general of One Cebu and as a lawyer, I cannot advise my party to consider supporting someone whose candidacy is in serious doubt,” said Garcia in a statement to local media on Monday, December 13.

Garcia was referring to the cases filed before the Commission on Elections against the presidential bid of Marcos.

The party previously said it would make a decision on whom to endorse for president of the Philippines after the November 15 substitution deadline. The party still has not made a decision as of this writing.

Asked why the party has not made a decision, Garcia told Rappler in a separate message that things are still “fluid.”

“It’s too early and things are fluid,” Garcia said. “One of the contenders faces a real threat of disqualification,” the congressman, who is running for reelection unopposed, added.

Garcia has been vocal against Marcos’ candidacy ever since poll aspirants filed their certificates of candidacies in October.

Marcos is the son of the ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

On December 3, Garcia posted on his Facebook page a 1986 article from the Los Angeles Times archive reminding the public that his father and Garcia family patriarch Pablo Garcia was an opposition lawyer during the snap election that year.

“I wish to remember my personal hero and the small role he played in the Anti-Marcos movement,” Garcia said. “Thank you, Daddy, for reminding us. Continue to remind us. Visit us in our dreams to constantly remind us. Visit your children. Visit your grandchildren. To remind us. #NeverAgain,” he added.

Garcia told Rappler that One Cebu members endorsing presidential candidates were doing so in their individual capacities.

On Monday, December 6, Garcia referred to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno as the “next president.”

The deputy speaker has been public in his support of Marcos’ rival Moreno and even accompanied him on many of his visits in Cebu province.

Niece supports Marcos

Last November 26, Garcia’s niece Christina Garcia-Frasco, the spokesperson of Marcos’ running mate Sara Duterte, said that 44 of Cebu province’s mayors declared “unequivocal support” for Marcos’ candidacy. (READ: Marcos woos Duterte votes, gets backing of Cebu mayors)

Frasco is the daughter of Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia.

To this, Garcia said “as far as One Cebu and allied mayors are concerned, NO endorsement has been given to any candidate.”

His niece later clarified that she declared their support for the Marcos-Duterte tandem in her capacity as Cebu’s League of Municipalities President.

Garcia, a lawyer by profession, also said he believed the petitions against Marcos’ candidacy have merit.

“I have studied the petitions and speaking as a lawyer, they cannot be lightly dismissed as nuisance, especially those filed by eminent legal scholars like Chairman Monsod and former Supreme Court spokesperson Ted Te,” Garcia said.

As for his sister Gwen, she said that she would let her individual family members decide who they will support so the party would not be divided like it was in the 2010 election.

“I must learn from that,” Gwen was quoted in a CNN Philippines report, referring to when the party supported different candidates in the 2010 elections. “[These] past two years, I have lost two brothers. The other year, I lost my mom or two years ago. This year, I lost our dad. We cannot afford to be divided again,” the governor added.

Gwen supported Gilbert Teodoro’s campaign then, while other members supported the candidacy of Manny Villar.

During Marcos’ last visit to Cebu on November 27, he joked that he was waiting for Gwen’s “sweet yes,” referring to an official endorsement from the most prominent figure of the party.

Still, Gwen said that she had learned her lesson from 2010 and not dictate who the party should support.

In 2016, the party initially endorsed former Vice President Jejomar Binay, before endorsing President Rodrigo Duterte.

One Cebu is credited with helping deliver about 1.1 million votes for Duterte in the 2016 election.

Cebu is the most vote-rich province in the Philippines with over 3.2 million voters as of September 2021.

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PING LACSON ON VOTE BUYING!

 PING LACSON ON VOTE BUYING!

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‘Most decent candidates’: Winston Garcia backs Lacson-Sotto tandem in 2022 polls

 ‘Most decent candidates’: Winston Garcia backs Lacson-Sotto tandem in 2022 polls

CFI Cooperatives Chairman Winston Garcia meets with Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III and vows to campaign for them in Cebu.

“Most decent candidates.”

This was how Cebu’s political magnate Winston Garcia, the brother of Gov. Gwen Garcia, described Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who have teamed up to run for president and vice president, respectively.

“We will help you. You are our sentimental favorites. You are the most decent candidates. I hope the Filipinos will see through it,” Garcia told Lacson and Sotto during the tandem’s weekend visit to the province.

Garcia is the chairman of the Cebu CF1 Community Cooperative with 100,000 members and was the former head of the Government Service Insurance System.

Sotto acknowledged the support: “Nakakataba po ng puso ang matawag na ‘sentimental favorite.’ Kaya tayo po ay nagpapasalamat kay businessman Winston Garcia sa suportang kanyang ipinahatid sa inyong abang lingkod. Malaking bagay po para sa ating adhikain ang makuha ang suportang ito.”

Sotto said that while the backing and endorsement of local political leaders and businessmen are crucial in any election, this will play a secondary role in his vice presidential run in next year’s elections.

“The best endorsement comes from the people of Cebu. Endorsements are important, but we need votes,” Sotto said.

Sotto reminded the people that he has Cebuano blood running in him, as he noted that Cebu’s largest public-run hospital was named after his great grandfather and namesake, Vicente Sotto who was the Cebuano lawmaker who authored the Press Freedom law, the anchor of the journalists’ freedoms and protection.

“Ako po ay dugong Cebuano. Maaasahan niyo po na hinding-hindi ko tatalikuran ang mga Cebuano, bagkus ay tututukan po natin ang pagpapatupad ng mga batas na makatutulong sa inyo, lalo na iyong mga nasa laylayan ng ating society,” Sotto said.

In an SWS survey conducted in October, Sotto was the front runner among vice presidential hopefuls with 44 percent.

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SEN GRINGO HONASAN INVITED IN BRGY CAYABU, TANAY, RIZAL

SEN GRINGO HONASAN INVITED IN BRGY CAYABU, TANAY, RIZAL

Nitong nakaraang Miyerkules ay naimbitahan tayo sa Barangay Cayabu, Tanay, Rizal kung saan nakilala natin ang kanilang mga honor students pati na rin ang mga honor students ng mga karatig na barangay.

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Nakakatuwang makilala ang mga mag-aaral na ito at marinig ang kanilang mga kuwento ng pagsisikap at pagpupursigi. Malay natin, baka isa sa kanila ay maging Pangulo ng Pilipinas balang araw! Kaya patuloy nating gabayan at suportahan ang mga kabataan sa pag-abot ng kanilang mga pangarap. Bigyan natin sila ng access sa mga sapat na kagamitan at magandang serbisyo na makakatulong sa kanilang pag-aaral upang mas lalong mahubog ang kanilang mga kakayahan.

#Magtulungan tayo sa pagbibigay ng pag-asa at oportunidad sa ating mga kabataan!

#SaludoSaEstudyante #SaludoSaPilipino #GringoSaludoSaPilipino

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Lacson backs joint oil exploration in WPS with ‘any country not necessarily China’

Lacson backs joint oil exploration in WPS with ‘any country not necessarily China’

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson reiterated his support for joint ventures with other countries in exploring and harnessing energy sources in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

However, Lacson clarified that the 60-40 formula in the Philippines’ Constitution should be strictly followed in these ventures.

“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,” said Lacson during an interview in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental on Saturday.

“Just imagine if we can harness such oil and natural gas resources, what it can do to the Philippines as a country economically,” Lacson added.

According to Lacson, there are at least 200 billion barrels of oil in Area 72 in the West Philippine Sea, but the Philippines currently lacks the technical and financial resources to explore energy resources in the WPS on its own even if these are within the country’s maritime territory.

In the joint ventures, Lacson said that the partner country should adhere to Sec. 2, Art. XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which says 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.”

He then reiterated that China’s bullying in the West Philippine Sea has resulted in a” triple whammy,” affecting the country’s national security, food security and economic security.

However, Lacson maintained that the Philippines’ foreign policy must remain anchored on the country’s national interest “but directed at strengthening our alliances with equally powerful countries like China.”

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