THE LEADERS WE NEED IN 2022

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Lacson: Ex-NPA's Info on Campaign 'Infiltration' Really Worrisome

Lacson: Ex-NPA's Info on Campaign 'Infiltration' Really Worrisome

March 10, 2022 - Really worrisome. This was how Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson described the information from a former New People's Army (NPA) cadre indicating that operatives of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)'s legal fronts may have "infiltrated" the campaign of Vice President Ma. Leonor "Leni" Robredo.

Lacson said the pieces of information disclosed by ex-NPA cadre Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz appeared to jibe with those provided by his own intelligence sources.

"Now, this is really worrisome - my intel sources being validated by Ka Eric, himself a top-ranking NPA surrenderor. Bad if their campaign is infiltrated. Worse if they are a willing partner. I’m more concerned about those who voluntarily joined their rallies but were not aware," Lacson said in a post on his Twitter account late Wednesday.

He was referring to information cited by Celiz indicating that members of the CPP and its supposed legal fronts were at the rally of Mrs. Robredo in Cavite last March 4.

Celiz, in a video posted on social media, cited a text message from a former colleague in the CPP-NPA who is now based in Cavite, indicating members of the CPP's reported legal fronts were brought in from parts of Cavite and even Rizal province. Also, Celiz said there was a budget of P500 per head, of which P200 was spent for transportation and food.

During a hearing on red-tagging which Lacson presided over in November 2020, Celiz said CPP founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison had named several groups as his group's legal "fronts," which have infiltrated several sectors. Celiz also said the legal fronts lay the ground for recruiting members to the NPA.

With the information cited by Celiz, Lacson reiterated his warning to those concerned to watch out against being part of a possible coalition government with the CPP, NPA and NDF.

"If those in the campaign were not aware of this, they should consider themselves warned and take appropriate action. If they are a willing partner, they should consider the consequences of their actions - we simply cannot afford to have a coalition government with a movement whose sole objective is to seize power," Lacson noted.

"Since 1969, our country has suffered from the longest-running insurgency in the world which has caused more than 2,000 deaths and billions of pesos in revolutionary taxes paid to the CPP/NPA, not to mention the destruction of properties of those who refused to 'cooperate.' Insurgency, like corruption, must end if we want peace and prosperity," he added.

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Lacson: No Room for Lapses, Corruption in Distribution of Increased Fuel Subsidies

Lacson: No Room for Lapses, Corruption in Distribution of Increased Fuel Subsidies

March 9, 2022 - There should be no room for corruption or administrative lapses in the distribution of fuel subsidies to sectors affected by the continued rise in oil prices, Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson said authorities should learn from the past where aid from the Bayanihan funds failed to reach their intended beneficiaries, especially the public utility drivers.

"Bukod sa corruption issue, may administrative issue ng pag-distribute. Baka mamaya sabihin natin, patay na ang kabayo bago dumating ang ayuda (Aside from the issue of possible corruption, there is the administrative issue of distributing the funds. We cannot afford a case of the aid coming too late, when the beneficiaries may have already died)," he said in an interview on DZRH radio.

He recalled that while Congress passed the Bayanihan 2 to help the transport sector cope with the effects of the pandemic, the Commission on Audit later found that only one percent of the fund reached the intended recipients. "Kaya nagmamalimos ang driver (That's why we see drivers begging in the streets)," he said.

Otherwise, Lacson said doubling fuel subsidies for the transport sector and fuel discount vouchers for the agriculture sector to help them cope with the spiraling prices of oil is the right thing to do.

"Due to the spiraling prices of oil in the world market, doubling the fuel subsidies and vouchers is the right thing to do as allowed under a special provision in the 2022 General Appropriations Act in order to contain inflation which is projected to hit 3.7 percent in 2022," he said.

Fuel prices have shot up in recent weeks and the situation is expected to worsen due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Cabinet's economic development cluster is proposing to increase the fuel subsidy for public transport drivers from P2.5 billion to P5 billion; and the budget for fuel discount vouchers for farmers and fisherfolk from P500 million to P1.1 billion.

On the other hand, Lacson reiterated he would attend a special session of Congress if called by President Rodrigo Duterte, to discuss the possible declaration of a state of economic emergency.

"Mas okay sa akin yan para may flexibility ang gobyerno na kung saan talagang parusa eh (It is okay with me so government will have the needed flexibility to deal with this scourge of fuel price hikes)," he said.

Lacson - who is running for President under Partido Reporma - and his vice presidential bet Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III are running on a platform of fixing the government's ills (Aayusin ang gobyerno, aayusin ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino) and going after thieves especially those in government (Uubusin ang magnanakaw).

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Lacson-Sotto tandem not affected on Sara Duterte’s ban on motorcades

Lacson-Sotto tandem not affected on

Sara Duterte’s ban on motorcades

MANILA, Philippines — Vice presidential candidate Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Tuesday said they are not affected by Davao mayor and fellow aspirant Sara Duterte-Carpio’s order to ban motorcades in her city.

When asked if he and his running mate Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson will be affected by Duterte-Carpio’s order, Sotto said in an ambush interview in Quezon City: “Not at all.”

“Wala namang kaming balak mag-motorcade eh, wala kaming balak mag-motorcade kahit saan,” Sotto pointed out.

(We don’t have plans to conduct a motorcade, we don’t plan to have a motorcade anywhere.)

Sotto previously said that they opt not to conduct motorcades since they want to reach out and talk to the public.

Duterte-Carpio, through an executive order released on Monday, prohibited all kinds of political caravans and motorcades in Davao City, citing rising fuel prices.

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LACSON-SOTTO: WE MAKE WINNERS!

LACSON-SOTTO: WE MAKE WINNERS!

Comment of former LTO chief Mar Santiago’67 on Sen. Ping’s PMA LAAward as posted in another chat group..

The PMAAAI has given the Life Achievement Award to one of its more prominent alumni, among other awardees.

Sen. Ping Lacson, in his acceptance speech, has given back the accolade to his, our Alma Mater, the PMA.

The assumption is that the alumni community are one in giving him the recognition for his more than fifty years of outstanding service and leadership.

If you believe that we are special and, in fact, especially trained to lead with Courage, Integrity and Loyalty and to give meaning to that recognition, I urge every alumnus and alumna of the Academy, and those who have gone to the portals of Fort Del Pilar, to support him for President.

There is hope. We do not go for the survey-perceived winners.

WE MAKE WINNERS!

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