Sen Ping Lacson Ayaw sa Kurapsyon!

Sen Ping Lacson Ayaw sa Kurapsyon!

 

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Ronnie Puno Former DILG Secretary Endorse and Support Sen Ping Lacson's for 2022

Ronnie Puno Former DILG Secretary Endorse and Support Sen Ping Lacson's for 2022

 

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Mayor Magalong Endorse Lacson-Sotto Tandem

 Mayor Magalong Endorse Lacson-Sotto Tandem

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LACSON-SOTTO HEADLINES NGAYON ENERO 6, 2022

 LACSON-SOTTO HEADLINES NGAYON ENERO  5, 2022

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Lacson says Churchill, Lee Kuan Yew are his leadership idols

Lacson says Churchill, Lee Kuan Yew are his leadership idols

Partido Reporma chairman and standard bearer Panfilo “Ping” Lacson once again revealed sides of his personality rarely seen by the public as he played a “Politicians Word Association” game for the latest episode of iPingTV official video channel on YouTube and Facebook.

Shown portraits of past and present politicians from the Philippines and around the world, and asked to describe them with at least one word, Lacson reserved his highest praises for two foreign former prime ministers—the late Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore and the late Winston Churchill of Great Britain.

“My idol, my role model. I would like to be like him,” Lacson said of Lee, to whom the longtime public servant has been compared favorably by supporters and allies as he aims for the presidency in the 2022 elections.

The three-term senator also said he idolized Churchill, the United Kingdom’s political leader and one of the leading historical figures during World War II, for his “wit, sarcasm, statesmanship, and bravado.”

Lacson also called former chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany a “great woman.” Meanwhile, he shared the following thoughts when asked about Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau: “Don’t throw garbage again. Don’t dump garbage in my country, please.”

The former national police chief’s most withering comments were for Nazi party leader and dictator Adolf Hitler (“I hate that guy, as everybody hates that guy”), and former US President Donald Trump (“Another guy”), whose portraits were shown to Lacson in succession.

As for Trump’s successor, Joe Biden, he said: “I wish him well. I think he means well for his country, and I hope he gets things done, especially in the pandemic.”

For the Philippine presidents, Lacson had shorter answers. Of the late Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Simeon Aquino III–under whose Cabinet he served–the lawmaker said: “Good man.” Of Fidel V. Ramos, his former chief in the Philippine Constabulary, Lacson said: “Economy.”

For Joseph Estrada, who appointed him as Philippine National Police chief, he said: “May he find peace.” And of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Lacson said: “Next please.” Lacson also called the late action star Fernando Poe Jr.—his and Arroyo’s rival in the 2004 presidential elections—a “legend.”

Two current Cabinet members were also shown to the Partido Reporma chief. He uttered the catchphrase “Go, go, go!” for Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. and described Education Secretary Leonor Briones as “budget coach.”

Lacson also called Antique Rep. Loren Legarda—a former Senate colleague who hopes to return to the upper chamber via the May 9, 2022 polls—“macho” and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia “a friend.”

As regards two fellow former police generals, Lacson described Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong as “another champion” and to just-retired PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar, he said “welcome”–since the latter had joined Partido Reporma as a senatorial candidate on Lacson’s invitation.

Former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, who is also running for senator, got a “Bistek, very good” comment from Lacson. He gave a “two thumbs up” remark to Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, the nephew of his running mate, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

The two-minute video, shot from Lacson’s favorite ‘bahay kubo’ in his home farm in Imus, Cavite, ended with him describing Cuban icon Che Guevara as a “rebel, revolutionary.” The video has generated thousands of mostly positive reactions and responses from his followers on social media.

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Alvarez: Lacson quitting would deprive Filipinos of ‘right leader’ on May 9 polls

Alvarez: Lacson quitting would deprive Filipinos of ‘right leader’ on May 9 polls

Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Panfilo “Ping” Lacson should not withdraw from the 2022 presidential race because it would deprive Filipino voters of the chance to pick “the right leader” in the May 9 elections, party president Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez said Wednesday.

In an interview with Deo Macalma on radio DZRH, Alvarez said whatever happens from now until May 9, Lacson will not stop campaigning, despite being behind in presidential surveys leading into the official campaign period starting on February 9.

“Sa akin naman, sabi ko, aba’y kahit anong mangyari, huwag tayong tumigil. Dahil pagka tumigil, we are depriving the voters of the opportunity to choose the right leader in the May 9, 2022 elections,” the Partido Reporma president said.

[For me, as I said, whatever happens, we should not stop (campaigning) because if we stop, we are depriving the voters of the opportunity to choose the right leader in the May 9, 2022 elections.]

The former House Speaker said that Lacson remains the most qualified for the position of Chief Executive among the contenders for the presidency, as he bewailed the “dirty tricks” of other camps to make it seem that the Partido Reporma chief is quitting with still four months before the elections.

Alvarez also hinted that the tricks were part of an effort to “steal” Lacson’s running mate, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, who has been leading most vice-presidential surveys after they became the first tandem to declare their candidacies for 2022 on September 8 last year.

“Hindi po totoo yan, kuyang. At para sa akin, ito ay alam mo na ‘yung dirty tricks ng pulitika to make it appear na kami ay titigil at susuko,” Alvarez told Macalma.

[That is not true, brother (Deo). For me, you know that these are political dirty tricks to make it appear that we are stopping and surrendering.]

The Partido Reporma president said those who want Lacson to quit should realize there is still plenty of time before the elections, that surveys are not elections, and that Filipinos can change their mind about their chosen candidates even on the eve of Election Day itself.

“Sa akin naman, kuyang, dapat isipin din nila na ‘yung eleksyon ay May 9 pa ‘yun, malayo pa ‘yun. ‘Yung surveys kasi ay hindi naman ‘yan eleksyon. Ang tao pwedeng magbago two months, one month before, two weeks before, three weeks before, one week before or even a day before—pwede pang magbago ng isip ‘yon,” Alvarez said.

[For me, brother, they should think the elections are on May 9, which is a long way off. Surveys are not elections themselves. People can change two months, one month before, two weeks before, three weeks before, one week before or even a day before—they can still change their minds.]

The veteran congressman also denied reports that Partido Reporma was negotiating with other groups to solidify the so-called opposition, as the party was focused on building up the groundwork that would boost Lacson’s numbers all the way to May 9 and lift him to the presidency.

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Reporma treasurer Ty: Lacson not quitting race amid rival ‘innuendoes’

Reporma treasurer Ty: Lacson not quitting race amid rival ‘innuendoes’

Partymates in the Partido Reporma on Tuesday said they believe their chairman and standard bearer, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, would not drop his presidential bid despite being behind in most surveys conducted ahead of the official campaign season for the 2022 national elections.

Meanwhile, Lacson confirmed on Twitter that he was isolating after one of his sons caught COVID. The longtime public servant said he had a sore throat, adding that many of his friends and relatives were saying their household members tested positive as well.

“We likewise disagree with the views of some who say our chairman should quit now that he is lagging in election surveys and give way to another candidate in a bid to unite the so-called opposition,” said Rep. Arnel Ty, the party’s treasurer.

These persons, he said, conveniently forget that their chosen leader “abandoned the party the candidate had belonged to – which, mind you, had supported that candidate for years on end – to run as an independent and form a coalition based on a color different from their old party.”

“This was the same candidate that initially presented Sen. Lacson with a plan to ‘unify’ the opposition but would then not allow our chairman to fulfill the commitments he had already made to his supporters and followers, having been the first to declare his candidacy for President this election season – showing that this was merely a ploy to gain more power for the candidate’s own ends,” also said Ty.

“This candidate would then paint a very different picture of how their talks broke down, on the pretense that the candidate did not want to see votes ‘wasted’ for the opposition,” he added.

Withdrawing from the presidential race, Ty pointed out, is simply against the principles Lacson has stood for throughout his 50-year career in public service – with proven, measurable results as a soldier, police officer, government executive and senator.

Instead of sending innuendoes through the media, whether traditional or social, to our chairman, Ty said they challenge the candidates for the local and national elections to stand on their principles and earn the vote of the Filipino people on May 9, 2022.

“As our chairman has repeatedly stressed since he declared his candidacy on September 8, 2021, his campaign is centered on educating the Filipino voter and pushing the governance reforms that our country badly needs at this time, especially considering the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and our huge economic problems,” he said.

“As most of his supporters and critics alike have noticed over the last three months, Sen. Lacson has conducted principled discussions with the public and private sectors alike through Partido Reporma’s ‘Online Kumustahan’ series of dialogues across the country,” he further stated.

According to Ty, these have been proven effective in communicating Sen. Lacson’s platform of governance, which he hopes to get a chance to execute himself after decades of crafting the laws for our countrymen, with the Filipinos’ mandate of course.

“We believe our countrymen resonate with Partido Reporma’s advocacy for reform in government and society — and will show this has merit by electing Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson as the country’s next President,” also said Ty, who did not identify the candidates peddling rumors that Lacson will withdraw from the presidential race.

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‘Poblacion girl’ case: Make her ‘connections’ liable as well, says Lacson

‘Poblacion girl’ case: Make her ‘connections’ liable as well, says Lacson

MANILA, Philippines—Like the quarantine violator now known as “Poblacion girl,” her “connections” must be held liable too,  Senator Panfilo Lacson said Wednesday.

“While the filing of charges for violation of RA 11332 is one positive step, there is a second step that is equally important — make her “connections” liable,” Lacson  said in a Twitter post on Wednesday.

“NAGPABAYA O NAGPABAYAD (whether they became negligent or accepted a bribe) does not make much difference. The PALAKASAN (patronage) system must stop,” the presidential aspirant added.

A complaint has already been filed  before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office  against the quarantine  violator and eight others, including her parents, for violations of Republic Act No. 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.

After arriving from the United States on Dec. 22 , the violator reportedly partied in a bar in Poblacion, Makati when she was supposed to be in a quarantine hotel. She later tested positive for COVID-19, and infected several others in the party venue.

“Hindi siya nag-quarantine…Itong taong ito, pagkadating niya (sa Pilipinas), the next day, umikot na ng Poblacion (a barangay — that is, a village — in Makati City which is also a popular tourism hub). Hindi lang ‘yon, nagyabang pa na may koneksyon daw siya,”  Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat was earlier quoted as saying.

(She did not go into quarantine…This person, when she returned, the next day, went around Poblacion. Not only that, she even boasted to her companions that she has connections.)

In light of these continued quarantine breaches, Senator Nancy Binay pushed for stiffer penalties against those who would be found deliberately violating  protocols.

“Increasingly, the need to ensure compliance is becoming more urgent, Binay said in a statement. “Mukhang hindi na sapat ang internal policing dahil patuloy pa rin ang quarantine violations na nababalita na mula pa sa simula.”

(It seems that the internal policing is not enough since there have been reports of quarantine violations.)

She also reiterated her call for quarantine marshals, which she thinks is a more “holistic approach” than tapping policemen to man quarantine facilities.

According to her, “police deployment would not necessarily weed out the corruption that is at the heart of the issue.”

“Corruption issue naman ito at hindi issue ng order,” she said. “What we need is a system that would weed out corruption. Hindi dapat band-aid solution ang mga pulis na itatapal natin sa bawat problema ng bansa.”

“This is, again, a public health issue, and we need public health experts. At best, what we need is a hybrid approach that would respond to the public safety and law enforcement aspects. Pero hindi lang dapat pulis,” the senator stressed.

Binay then proposed  tapping barangay watchmen, assisted by a health officer, as marshals with the  help of the Inter-Agency Task Force and Department of Tourism which will brief and train them.

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Senate readies for No-el scenario after PDP-Laban bid to reopen COC filing — Lacson, Sotto

Senate readies for No-el scenario after PDP-Laban bid to reopen COC filing — Lacson, Sotto

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate is ready to elect a new leader who will serve as acting president should there be an attempt to delay the May 2022 polls and extend President Rodrigo  Duterte’s term. Presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo Lacson disclosed this possible scenario after Duterte’s faction in the PDP- Laban sought to reopen the filing of certificates of candidacy (CoCs).

“I would not like to think that the intention of the petition to reopen the filing of the COCs filed by the PDP-Laban is to delay the election on May 9, 2022 — and pave the way for the extension of the term of office of the President beyond June 30, 2022. This is something the 1987 Constitution clearly forbids,” Lacson said in a  statement on Monday.

“As I have suggested earlier to Senate President Vicente Sotto III and some of my colleagues, the Senate must not allow this to happen,” he added.

To preserve the presidential line of succession as provided for under Article  VII Sec. 7 of the 1987 Constitution, Lacson said a new Senate President would be elected before Congress adjourns its sessions in June.

The new Senate President, whose term will expire on June 30, 2025, should act as President “until a new President or Vice President shall have been chosen and qualified,” the senator explained.

According to Lacson, most of his colleagues have already agreed to his proposal.

“Let me clarify and emphasize that I am not accusing the administration of any malevolent attempt in this possible scenario. What I’m only saying is that the Senate will always be the bulwark of our democracy, and I take pride in playing a major role in it,” he added.

Lacson’s running mate, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, confirmed having discussions on a possible delay of this year’s elections.

“Yes we have discussed that, it’s our idea of how to resolve the problem of vacancy in the leadership. We were ten steps ahead,” Sotto said in a text message.

“It’s resolving a constitutional problem if everyone’s term ends on June 30 and with no newly elected officials,” he added.

If elections are postponed, Sotto said, he would step down in the last week of May so a new Senate President is elected who will serve as acting president until elections are held.

“They cannot replace him or her by July 1st because they will only have 12 votes,” the Senate leader  said.

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On the PDP-Laban Petition to Reopen the COC Filing Period

On the PDP-Laban Petition to Reopen the COC Filing Period

January 3, 2022-I would not like to think that the intention of the petition to reopen the filing of the COCs filed by the PDP-Laban is to delay the election on May 9, 2022 - and pave the way for the extension of the term of office of the President beyond June 30, 2022. This is something the 1987 Constitution clearly forbids.

As I have suggested earlier to Senate President Vicente Sotto III and some of my colleagues, the Senate must not allow this to happen. We can preserve the presidential line of succession as provided under Art. VII Sec. 7 of the 1987 Constitution. How?

SP Sotto and Speaker Lord Allan Velasco are both stepping down along with the President and Vice President on June 30. If such a scenario becomes imminent, before Congress adjourns, we will elect a new Senate President whose term expires on June 30, 2025. He/she shall act as President until a new President or Vice President shall have been chosen and qualified.

Most of my colleagues have already agreed to this proposal, since democracy and the fundamental law of the land could be at risk.

Let me clarify and emphasize that I am not accusing the administration of any malevolent attempt in this possible scenario. What I’m only saying is that the Senate will always be the bulwark of our democracy, and I take pride in playing a major role in it.

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Lacson: Proactive Leadership, Cooperation Needed to Keep New Covid Wave from Robbing Us of Health, Economy

Lacson: Proactive Leadership, Cooperation Needed to Keep New Covid Wave from Robbing Us of Health, Economy

January 2, 2022 - Proactive leadership, cooperation from the public and a science-based approach. These are the three main things needed to prevent the new wave of Covid infections from robbing us of our health and economic recovery, Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson said.

Lacson reminded authorities and fellow Filipinos to "cooperate with science" to prevent another major significant wave of this lingering public health crisis, after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) raised the alert level in Metro Manila to "3" following a surge in infections.

On Sunday, Lacson cited the proactive move of Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla to reactivate the provincial Center for Disease Control, and consulting the mayors to upgrade the alert level as a response to an upsurge in Covid cases.

"Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla leads the way. He is reactivating the provincial Center for Disease Control and consulting the mayors to upgrade the alert level. An upsurge from 5 to 100 CoViD cases per day needs proactive leadership and action. He has both," Lacson, a proud Caviteño, said on his Twitter account.

He also reiterated that while authorities should adopt a data-driven approach in dealing with the pandemic, the public should also do their part by observing basic health protocols.

"Just like that, we’re back to 30% indoor and 50% outdoor. Cooperation with science is key," Lacson noted.

Lacson, who is running for President under Partido Reporma, earlier called on public health and law enforcement authorities to press charges against people who were deliberately violating mandatory quarantine protocols like the woman who went viral - literally and virtually - for escaping from her hotel room to party in a public bar.

More importantly, he said steps must be taken to prevent a repeat of the violation that potentially endangered the health of other people.

"Just when we thought we were ready to move on and not worry about CoViD, here we are again, bothered by impending health and economic woes, when we know there are hardly any trade-offs between the two. Among others, that girl who skipped quarantine and partied must be prosecuted," he said.

Lacson has made it clear that fixing the country’s healthcare system to deal with the continuing COVID-19 crisis and all its adverse impact across many sectors and industries remains one of his topmost priorities if he is voted into office come the 2022 May elections.

The three-term senator vowed to institute future-proof economic strategies to address this problem by encouraging public trust on safe and effective vaccines, conducting frequent mass diagnostic testing for free, and easing state-sanctioned lockdowns, among other data-driven solutions.

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