Fix the ills in governance

Fix the ills in governance

COMMONSENSE - Marichu A. Villanueva - The Philippine Star
December 20, 2021 | 12:00am

Filipinos are now more aware of the kind of leaders who can better serve the interests of our country and not for the personal glories of wannabes running in next year’s national and local elections. From among candidates eyeing the Presidency, one candidate has already backed out knowing the Filipino people exact so much demands that he may not be able to meet.

President Rodrigo Duterte also already decided to withdraw last week his candidacy from next year’s 12-man Senate race. The 76-year-old Chief Executive goes back on track with his previously announced desire to retire from politics at the end of his term on June 30 next year.

We can only express our gratitude to Senator Christopher “Bong” Go for accepting he is not at par to the challenge of the Presidency and withdrew his bid.

Concurrently serving as Special Assistant to the President, Sen. Go has gained so much experience up close and personal working with President Duterte for more than five years running errands for him at Malacañang.

While he already made a stand to stay neutral in next year’s elections, President Duterte’s endorsement remains a big plus factor for any candidate.

Presidential adviser on political affairs Jacinto “Jing” Paras noted existing records of both the Social Weather Station (SWS) and Pulse Asia opinion surveys that showed President Duterte is the only outgoing Chief Executive who remains most popular with double-digit approval/satisfaction rate. During my Kapihan sa Manila Bay virtual news forum last Wednesday, Paras estimated it would at least mean a plus 10 to 15% additional mileage to any candidate who gets anointed by a very popular endorser like President Duterte.

The opinion polls done from Dec. 6 to 12 this year tried to measure the value of endorsement of political and religious leaders. The Issues and Advocacy Center – called for short The Center – headed by veteran political pollster Ed Malay – conducted what it dubs as “Pulso ng Bayan” and asked respondents if they will follow or abide by the choice of candidate endorsed, or will they vote for their own preference or choices. Included in the list were, namely: President Duterte as well as the past three (living) presidents of the country, namely, Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Estrada, and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The bishops, parish priest, deacon, and pastor were identified as one generic group, or no names.

Based from The Center survey, 43% of the respondents will follow the endorsement by President Duterte but the rest (57%) will vote for their own choice. The religious leaders’ endorsement will be followed by 39% of the respondents but 61% of them would not heed their choice. On endorsement by Mrs. Arroyo, 34% will vote for her choice but 66% wont. Ramos’ endorsement will be heeded by 22% of the respondents but 78% will not. Estrada’s endorsement will convince 17% but 83% will not.

In his own analysis, Malay argued those known for their longtime experience and track record in public service among candidates have strengthened their position even without any endorsement. This is because, Malay explained, the present crops of Filipino voters are having this change of hearts and minds. They are voters who no longer can be swayed by song-and-dance politics that their parents may have fallen for in the past.

First of all, having a clear platform of governance will resonate with Filipinos. Malay noted with satisfaction only some candidates in the race for the 2022 national elections have such platform. Thus, he cited, they seemed “to be gaining adherents among the citizenry, looking for some sense in the present situation the country is in right now.” They also are responding to election hopefuls who decide to stick to the issues at hand and don’t engage in dirty or “gutter” politics, the pollster added.

Second, Malay suggested what some politicians running for the highest office of the land should do: Be armed with a message even before they step into the arena of public opinion. “Regardless of whether the electoral process can be manipulated or not, candidates must let the voters into their mind tunnels, so the voters can see what they represent,” he pointed out.

This is for the simple reason that the message defines what the candidate stands for.

Third, and perhaps most crucially important, Malay stressed, is that Filipinos value leaders who have a proven track record and have demonstrated their ability to build a consensus and work as a team with others for the common good. This is not the job for a “lone ranger” who will pursue his or her own agenda and yet remains fearful of being outshone by the VP who is supposedly a runningmate and partner during the election campaign.

Only the tandem of Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Senate president Vicente “Tito” Sotto III of Nationalist People’s Coalition checks all these tick boxes as far as this set of criteria of Malay’s The Center is concerned. While the Lacson-Sotto is the top partnership in his polling firm’s most recent survey to run the government after the Duterte presidency, will they have a real shot to win the real survey on election day on May 9 next year?

While his endorsement would make a big difference for any candidate, President Duterte’s selection process is constrained by party politics in the fractured PDP-Laban. His partymates cannot, however, begrudge President Duterte if he endorses his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as the vice presidential (VP) candidate of the Lakas-CMD. While the presidential daughter enjoys high survey rating, Paras admitted, she is in for a tough fight in the VP race against Sotto in particular. He conceded Sotto is “no push-over” not just in Mindanao but also from Aparri to Sulu.

If recent opinion surveys are to be believed, Filipinos are waking up to the need of not just electing candidates with integrity and a platform of government. They want leaders who can fix the ills in governance here in our country so that Filipinos can truly be very hopeful for the future.

*********

Read More

Ping Lacson Sa Trading Post Sa La Trinidad, Benguet

Ping Lacson Sa Trading Post Sa La Trinidad, Benguet

(Please Watch and Share)

👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

Read More

Lacson: PMA Virtues My Guide in Navigating PH's Challenges

Lacson: PMA Virtues My Guide in Navigating PH's Challenges

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City - The values of Courage, Integrity and Loyalty will be the guide of Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson in addressing the challenges facing the country, should he be elected President in 2022.

Lacson said these virtues, which he learned as a member of the PMA Matatag Class of 1971, are much-needed in facing the "unprecedented" and humongous problems.

"These virtues are much-warranted in today’s unprecedented challenges: the long-term impact of the pandemic, the ballooning national debt, the biggest dip of our economy, the maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea, as well as the undeniable climate crisis," he said during his speech at the 50th anniversary of the PMA Class 1971 here.

It was at the PMA that Lacson learned not just the three virtues of Courage, Integrity and Loyalty - but he also developed his brand of leadership by example and his personal motto, "What is right must be kept right, what is wrong must be set right."

He noted that the members of the Matatag Class of 1971 are at the forefront of many key points of our nation's history.

"Living up to our class moniker, our class fought and bled in many battles - we stood at the forefront of armed rebellions and peaceful revolutions that set the course of our nation’s history. Even in our second careers as elected or appointed public officials, as well as in private enterprises, within us is our ironclad commitment to the virtues taught to us by our beloved Alma Mater," he said.

Now, he said the PMA figures to play a major role in the Philippines' “digital renaissance” in the next three years.

He cited the first National Cyber Defense Academy and the largest intelligent network through Project Lightning in Baguio City as major examples.

"This breakthrough technology is our way to revolutionize our connectivity landscape which already addresses the speed, cost, and efficiency requirements to literally connect everything," he said, adding he was impressed with Baguio’s Smart City Command Center which he toured Friday.

He said the command center is the realization of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s vision of operationalizing digital governance to unlock even more socio-economic opportunities in the city.

"Imagine if this can be replicated all over the country. Initially 146 cities, wow, you can just imagine. It’s all digital. This is a dream come true. Sana sooner than later ma-implement ni Mayor Benjie (I hope Mayor Magalong can implement this sooner than later)," Lacson said after seeing the command center in action on Friday.

Also, Lacson said he and his "mistahs" must pace themselves with the thriving digital economy "that is bound to change not only our defense system, but literally every single aspect of our nation's well-being."

"Indeed, what we are bound to do, as leaders in various sectors of our country, is to stay the course and keep in pace with pivotal transformations in our society – akin to that of the meaningful governance reforms of Baguio City Mayor and fellow cavalier, Benjie Magalong," he said.

"Only if we institute the much-needed reforms of our society in line with the demands of our time can we live up to the legacy of being 'Matatag': strong, unbowed and unyielding," he added.

Lacson is running for President under Partido Reporma.

*********

Read More

Lacson Leads Mistahs in Offering Moment of Silence for 'Odette' Victims

Lacson Leads Mistahs in Offering Moment of Silence for 'Odette' Victims

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City - Led by Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson, the Philippine Military Academy Matatag Class of 1971 offered a moment of silence for the victims of Typhoon "Odette."

Lacson led the show of respect during his message to his "Mistahs" at the 50th anniversary of PMA Class 1971.

"At this very moment, I ask of you a minute of silence for all of our countrymen who as we speak, have been suffering the devastating impact of Typhoon 'Odette,'" he said.

"Kung kaya tumulong, election or no election, tumulong ka nang tahimik (When I extend help, election or no election, I do it quietly). I did it many times in the past," he noted.

*********

Read More

GOLDEN JUBILARIANS: Philippine Military Academy Matatag Class of 1971

GOLDEN JUBILARIANS 

Philippine Military Academy Matatag Class of 1971 

December 18, 2021

(Please Watch and Share)

👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

\

Text of Sen. Ping Lacson's Speech:

In recent decades, scientists have been putting forward the radical idea that the human brain is designed to forget that old, unused memories wither over time like a photograph left under the sunlight.

This is exactly the reason why getting old sucks. Let me say what my “mistahs” hate to hear, but I will say it anyway: there is a moment in being old when nothing is left in your brain except happy, pleasant, even naughty memories that you cannot even remember. Do not get me wrong. The surviving members of this year’s Golden Jubilarians, the Matatag Class of 1971 are not there yet.

And when the inevitable happens to many of us - maybe ten to twenty years from now, or earlier - I am quite certain - that my brain would designate a special compartment that houses the good, the bad, the ugly and even the painful memories inside the resounding walls of our cadet barracks, the cadet mess hall and everywhere else within the confines of Fort del Pilar.

Five decades and four years ago, on our reception day - April 1, 1967 to be exact, fate brought together 148 young men to this hallowed ground up in the misty mountains of pines and evergreens.

Stripped of civilian antics, our plebehood instantly subjected us to tough training, unique rules and regulations, and the highest norms of conduct that nobody but us would comprehend.

Being the lowest life form in the cadet corps, a plebe’s single goal only mattered: to learn to be obedient followers so they can be fit and prepared to become field commanders and leaders of men that are apart from and above the rest.

Our days as Yearlings, Cows, and Firsties further shaped and honed us to the principles of honor, discipline, and excellence, to stand against anything that threatens our country’s march toward the path of security and progress.

On March 28, 1971, 109 men all imbued with the values of Courage, Integrity, and Loyalty – were supposed to step out from the gate of Fort del Pilar. Sadly, one of those young men, Page 2 of 7 the late First Class Cadet Wilfredo Tapia succumbed to leukemia, thus posthumously graduated with the rest of us.

From then on, the rest is history.

For the Matatag Class of 1971, it was 50 years of glory, service, triumphs, defeats and sacrifices.

Our class members were called different names - some good, some bad; sometimes even vitriolic and vicious - which I had actually experienced - as we belong to arguably, thus far the most controversial class to emerge from the Academy since its founding in the early 20th century.

But one thing is certain: we are never called “The Matatags” for no reason.

Living up to our class moniker, our class fought and bled in many battles - we stood at the forefront of armed rebellions and peaceful revolutions that set the course of our nation’s history.

Even in our second careers as elected or appointed public officials, as well as in private enterprises, within us is our ironclad commitment to the virtues taught to us by our beloved Alma Mater. These virtues are much-warranted in today’s unprecedented challenges: the long-term impact of the pandemic, the ballooning national debt, the biggest dip of our economy, the maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea, as well as the undeniable climate crisis.

At this very moment, I ask of you a few seconds of silence for all of our countrymen who as we speak, have been suffering the devastating impact of Typhoon Odette.

The world indeed shifts under our feet and nothing but change has remained constant.

Looking back, much has changed in the landscape of PMA in over five decades. The prospect of the country’s 1st National Cyber Defense Academy along with the largest intelligent network through Project Lightning in Baguio City were unimaginable back in our day.

Between you and me, what we can now anticipate appears to be a “digital renaissance” in the next three years. This Page 4 of 7 breakthrough technology is our way to revolutionize our connectivity landscape which already addresses the speed, cost, and efficiency requirements to literally connect everything.

Yesterday, I had a chance to see for myself Baguio’s Smart City Command Center – the realization of Mayor Magalong’s vision of operationalizing digital governance in order to unlock even more socio-economic opportunities in the city. The innovative solutions in crowd density monitoring, timely incident reporting, and even real time weather prediction will surely be key in elevating the quality of life of the city’s residents.

Indeed, what we are bound to do, as leaders in various sectors of our country, is to stay the course and keep in pace with pivotal transformations in our society – akin to that of the meaningful governance reforms of Baguio City Mayor and fellow cavalier, Benjie Magalong.

This includes pacing ourselves to the thriving digital economy that is bound to change not only our defense system, but literally every single aspect of our nation’s well-being.

Only if we institute the much-needed reforms of our society in line with the demands of our time can we live up to the legacy of being “Matatag”: strong, unbowed and unyielding.

We are the keepers of this legacy.

Let it be said by future generations of soldiers that in times of the country’s political turmoil, never did we sit idly nor wallow; in times when we were called to be of service to our fellowmen, never did we turn our backs - instead we wore our badges with honor and dignity; in the face of the challenges that confronted our country, we carried with us the highest ideals of nationalism and patriotism in the performance of our noble duty – not for anyone but for the Filipino people.

As the long gray line keeps getting longer behind us, we remain unbowed in carrying our proud heritage, of our esprit de corps as cavaliers. Page 6 of 7 We keep history alive as we gather here today on the iconic Borromeo Field, and to this end, let the words of our Academy song enliven the memories of the 108-strong group of men who have offered their best share of illustrious service to the country and the Filipino people:

Let thy sons ever be

Men of Integrity, Courage and Loyalty

Academy, oh Hail to thee…

MARAMING SALAMAT!

*********

Read More

Ready To Rebuild Intro Video

 Ready To Rebuild Intro Video

(Please Watch and Share)

👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

Read More

Lacson Revisits PMA Cadet Barracks He Helped Restore

Lacson Revisits PMA Cadet Barracks He Helped Restore

December 18, 2021

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City - This was where it all started 50 years ago.

Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson on Saturday attended the blessing and inauguration of the New Florendo Hall, the cadet barracks of the Philippine Military Academy, his Alma Mater.

Lacson was here to mark the 50th anniversary of the Philippine Military Academy "Matatag" Class of 1971.

In 2016, Lacson - in his capacity as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee of Finance and sponsor of the DND budget for FY 2017 - sought an investigation into why Florendo Hall had been allowed to deteriorate.

He inquired with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana if they can include in their spending program the repair of the PMA Florendo Hall.

For the 2017 budget, Lacson proposed an institutional amendment increasing the allocation for the construction of new cadet barracks in the PMA from the original P100 million to P335.02 million.

Lacson graduated from the PMA as a member of the "Matatag" Class of 1971. He went on to have a decorated career in the Philippine Constabulary where he maintained a no-take policy, headed the Philippine National Police and restored its glory days through his brand of leadership by example, and served in the Philippine Senate where he earned a reputation as the watchdog of the national budget.

All throughout his public service, Lacson upheld the values he learned from the PMA - Courage, Integrity and Loyalty; and stood by his personal motto, "Ang tama ipaglaban, ang mali labanan (What is right must be kept right, what is wrong must be set right)."

*********

Read More

Lacson: Calamity politics is lowest form of campaigning

 Lacson: Calamity politics is lowest form of campaigning

MANILA, Philippines — Noting that he has always helped calamity victims with or without elections, presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo Lacson slammed “calamity politics” as the “lowest form of campaigning.”

“In fact, I consider it abominable…Election or no election, we assist and help, period,” Lacson said in a statement Friday.

Lacson was asked about his reaction to the call made by Senator Manny Pacquiao for all presidential bets to come together for Filipinos affected by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai).

Lacson and Pacquiao are both running for president in the May 2022 elections.

Pacquiao earlier appealed to fellow presidential aspirants to “set aside all politics” and pool their resources to help Filipinos displaced by the typhoon.

“If it was done through private communication, I would have responded privately as well and offered whatever resources we can share at our disposal in a coordinated effort,” Lacson said.

“Since it was done through media – it goes against my principled belief that ‘calamity politics’ is the lowest form of campaigning,” he added.

Lacson said his office, as well as friends and supporters, have helped Filipinos affected by past calamities “without fanfare and without any media coverage.”

“We did it in Cagayan Valley, and Bicol region and some other areas hit by strong typhoons,” he said.

*********

Read More

On Efforts to Help Victims of Typhoon Odette

On Efforts to Help Victims of Typhoon Odette

December 17, 2021

My take: “Calamity politics” is the lowest form of campaigning. It is abominable. We just help, period.

In fact, our BRAVE Movers can help us by identifying the hardest hit areas in their locations so we can send whatever assistance we can without fanfare. We did it before in Cagayan, Isabela and the Bicol region. We can do it again, election or no election.

If it was done through private communication, I would have responded privately as well and offered whatever resources we can share at our disposal in a coordinated effort.

Since it was done through media - it goes against my principled belief that “calamity politics” is the lowest form of campaigning. In fact I consider it abominable.

As in the past calamities, my Senate office as well as friends and supporters assisted without fanfare and without any media coverage. We did it in Cagayan Valley, and Bicol region and some other areas hit by strong typhoons.

Election or no election, we assist and help, period.

*********

Read More

Lacson: Contact Tracing is Key in Dealing with Omicron

Lacson: Contact Tracing is Key in Dealing with Omicron

Contact tracing is key to preventing the Omicron variant of Covid-19 from spreading.

Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson stressed this Wednesday as he said the government must account for all the people who have come into contact with the two cases confirmed recently by the Department of Health.

"Contact tracing is key. The two have been here for quite a while. I hope all their co-passengers - and those whom they got in contact with before the detection of the Omicron variant - are all accounted for and closely monitored," Lacson said in a post on his Twitter account.

Earlier Wednesday, the DOH confirmed two cases of Omicron in the Philippines - a Filipino who returned from Japan, and a Nigerian national who arrived from Nigeria.

Both are now isolated in a facility managed by the Bureau of Quarantine, even as the DOH is verifying the health status of the passengers of these flights.

Lacson said the government and the public cannot afford to have the Omicron variant spread in the Philippines, as it can have devastating effects on our health and economy.

"It bears repeating that while the government must learn from past lapses to deal with the new variant, the public must also do their part by observing distancing and other health protocols," he said.

*********

Read More

Lacson Pushes 3-Pronged Solution to Finally Stop Agricultural Smuggling, Corruption

Lacson Pushes 3-Pronged Solution to Finally Stop Agricultural Smuggling, Corruption

Full automation of Customs operations, throwing the book at erring personnel minus double standards, and leadership by example.

This is the three-pronged solution needed to finally stop the persistent problem of agricultural smuggling as well as corruption in all agencies of government, Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson said Wednesday.

"First, it is time to fully automate our Customs operations just like most, if not all, of our trading partner countries. Everything, from the filing of application for accreditation all the way to payment of taxes and duties, should be done online. This will eliminate human intervention every step of the way. Tingnan ko na lang kung makapang-kurakot pa ang mga tiwaling kawani nila (Let's see if corrupt personnel can still engage in corruption)," Lacson said.

Second, Lacson said, is to throw the book at erring personnel by applying only one standard in dealing with such scalawags.

But the third and most important measure is to practice leadership by example - a trait Lacson practiced during his careers both in law enforcement and lawmaking.

"This applies to all agencies of government, by the way," Lacson said of the three-pronged solution, which he will strictly implement should he win the presidential election in May 2022.

On Tuesday, Lacson scored the persistence of agricultural smuggling, despite three laws having been passed to stop it.

He also questioned why the Bureau of Customs, during the Senate's hearing on the matter on Tuesday, reported filing only 75 cases, in spite of reporting to have intercepted/raided hundreds of smuggling activities in their anti-smuggling operations.

"Wala pang nakukulong (And up to now, no one has gone to jail for agricultural smuggling)," Lacson said in an interview on Radyo 5.

"Importante na mag-automate tayo. May batas tayo, ang Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. Computerized tayo pero ayaw mag-automate (We have to automate our systems. We have the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. But while our systems are computerized, we do not seem to want to undergo automation)," he added.

On the other hand, Lacson said the right person should be appointed for the post. He cited the case of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), which is a health insurance agency that should be headed by one with knowledge of finance matters - yet whose ex-officio chairman is a doctor.

"Sa skills matching, may diperensya tayo kung sino ang ina-appoint. Hindi tugma ang position sa skills (We have a problem with skills matching. The appointees' skills don't match with the requirements of the job)," Lacson said.

In the meantime, Lacson said the Bureau of Customs should use its intelligence funds to unmask the violators of the laws against agricultural smuggling. He also vowed no letup in investigating the problem. "Institutional and organizational ang problema (The problem is institutional and organizational)," he said.

**********

Read More