Lacson, Sotto praised for performance in debates

Lacson, Sotto praised for performance in debates

MANILA, Philippines — “I am not surprised that the Lacson-Sotto tandem stood out among other candidates during the recent Comelec (Commission on Elections) debate.”

Thus, said Jochebed “Obed” dela Cruz, lead convenor of the Philippine Nationalist Conservatives for Progress, as he and several netizens lauded presidential candidate and Sen. Panfilo Lacson, and vice presidential candidate and Senate President Vicente Sotto III for being true statesmen during the recently-held debates organized by the poll body.

Dela Cruz said one can feel the Lacson-Sotto tandem’s “heart” and expertise in their profession as they answered questions during the respective debates they attended over the weekend.

The presidential debates were held last Saturday, while the vice presidential debates were on Sunday.

“They are truly seasoned public servants. Nakakabilib ang kanilang prinsipyo at ugali. Siguradong maraming mapapa-isip na magbago ng kanilang iboboto (Their principles and manner [of answering questions] is laudable. I’m sure that they will capture the votes of even the decided ones),” dela Cruz said.

Lacson and Sotto earlier said they make sure that they “study their homework” before attending debates so they can provide answers to questions based on data and not by merely issuing motherhood statements.

Dela Cruz said this proves that the Lacson-Sotto tandem is the team to root as he said it best to set aside fanatism in choosing the country’s next leaders.

Kyle Elijah S. Kub-ao, a Facebook user, said it is quite obvious who among the presidential and vice presidential candidates stood out in the debates.

“Kitang-kita naman kung sino ang magaling at talagang alam ang gagawin kung sila ang mananalo. Marami sa mga Pilipino ang napapaisip at malamang mag-iba ng boto. Iba talaga ang tandem na Lacson-Sotto.

(It can be clearly seen who stood out and who knows what how to govern if elected in the May elections. A lot of Filipinos are now having second thoughts and vote for them [Lacson-Sotto]. The tandem of Lacson-Sotto is one of a kind),” Kub-ao said.

Junilyn Loriega Sarmiento, also a Facebook user, said he is proud for choosing Sotto as his vice presidential candidate.

“Npaka desente at mahinahon magsalita. Pwede mong ipagmalaki na ito ang lider ng ating bansa (He is very decent and soft-spoken. You can be proud that he is the leader of our country),” Sarmiento said.

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How will he lead? Lacson brings plans – and numbers – to Comelec debate

How will he lead? Lacson brings plans – and numbers – to Comelec debate

Data-backed performance is not new to the veteran lawmaker. He also rose above other candidates with his data during the debate earlier organized by the KBP.

MANILA, Philippines – While other candidates also brought their policy proposals to the Commission on Elections’ presidential debate on Saturday, March 19, arguably none of them dropped the same volume of statistics to back their answers as Senator Panfilo Lacson.

From reinvigorating the economy to preventing the next pandemic, Lacson had a number ready up his sleeve. He wrote them down as he waited for his turn to speak, and dealt them on his turn

Lacson opened with a combo breaker.

The first question asked for the sector that should be revived first as the country rose from the COVID-19 pandemic. Candidates ahead of Lacson responded citing agriculture, attaching little to no data to back their answers.

Then came Lacson, a scout with his digits.

“I first focus on MSMEs – micro, small, and medium enterprises. Why? Because 99.5% of our enterprises are from MSMEs, and we lost 400,000 jobs from 5.7 million,” Lacson said. His answer was echoed by Vice President Leni Robredo.

He pulled another highlight when the question came about continuing the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build program.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno spoke first, saying he would continue the program because it helped Filipinos.

“For our citizens, it was a success,” Moreno said in Filipino, appending no numbers to support the assessment.

Then Lacson was called.

“We are asked if it was a success. Out of 118 projects, only 12 were accomplished. You be the judge. Let our citizens be the judge if it was truly a success,” Lacson said in a mix of English and Filipino.

With the country’s debt ballooning, he offered private-public partnerships in infrastructure projects as an answer. He was once again seconded by Robredo, who came after him.

On how the country could better face the pandemic as it entered its third year, Lacson looked ahead, saying that the current funding for research – a measly .4% of the national budget – was simply not enough. It was so low that Lacson called the allocation “pathetic.”

He exhibited the same familiarity with the data as he answered questions about the proposed four-day work week and his plan for sending students back to classrooms.

Data-backed performance was not new to the veteran lawmaker. During the debate earlier organized by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, he also rose above other candidates with his meticulously arranged set and his sleek PowerPoint presentation.

Lacson tumbled in another debate, which was organized by CNN Philippines because the bell cut him off enough times before he could deliver his point.

With the Comelec debate on Saturday, Lacson showed not only a firm hold on his numbers, but now also of his time – delivering his point across at his own pace without an instance of interruption.

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Lacson-Sotto Tandem Wants Tuguegarao's Innovative 'People's Day' Replicated Nationwide

Lacson-Sotto Tandem Wants Tuguegarao's Innovative 'People's Day' Replicated Nationwide

March 16, 2022 - A true "People's Day" like the one in Tuguegarao City in Cagayan - where government agencies go to the people to deliver services instead of the other way around - may be replicated nationwide under a Lacson-Sotto leadership.

Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson said this innovative program implemented by Mayor Jefferson Soriano is something that he and his vice presidential bet Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III will promote wherever they go.

"Napakaganda, napaka-innovative ng kanyang konsepto... Lahat ng pangangailangan ng mga tao nariyan na lahat. Dinala ni Mayor Soriano ang gobyerno sa mga tao sa halip na ang tao pupunta sa gobyerno (This is a very good, innovative concept. All basic services are delivered to the people)," Lacson - who is running for President under Partido Reporma - said in his speech at the consultative meeting with sectoral representatives in Tuguegarao City Tuesday.

"At ito ang aming ipapamahagi sa aming paglilibot sa iba’t ibang sulok ng kapuluan nang sa ganoon tularan, pamarisan sa buong Pilipinas ang ginagawa ni Mayor Jeff Soriano (We will promote this concept to the various places we will visit, so other local officials will follow the example set by Mayor Jeff Soriano)," he added.

Sotto agreed, saying he and Lacson have seen for themselves the effectiveness of the mayor's initiative. "Nakita namin ni Sen. Lacson gaano kagaling ang ginagawa sa Tuguegarao ni Mayor Jeff Soriano (Sen. Lacson and I have seen how good the mayor's initiatives are)," he said.

Under the People's Day program, representatives from line agencies such as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Public Attorney's Office, Philippine National Police and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) go to the barangays twice a week to render services.

Lacson noted this would save residents the time, money and effort of having to wake up early, and ride a tricycle or jeep to the city proper to avail of government services.

"Ang serbisyo publiko ang pupunta sa tao, hindi tao ang pupunta para maghanap ng paglilingkod ng kanilang tinatawag na public servants (It is the government offices that go to the people instead of people having to go to the government offices to avail of services)," he added.

Lacson said this is one of the solutions he and Sotto chance upon when they hold consultations with the people.

He said the Lacson-Sotto tandem will continue to consult with people especially in far-flung areas, so they can find the "tough solutions" to the "tough problems" facing the country.

"So yan ang aming matagal nang pinag-aralan para nang sa ganoon sa pakikipagugnayan natin sa tao sa iba’t ibang lugar sa Pilipinas, alam natin more or less kung anong pwedeng solution. Tough problems call for tough solutions from tough leaders. Kami yan ni Senate President Tito Sotto (Senate President Sotto and I have been looking for solutions to the country's problems and we learn whenever we hold consultations. Tough problems call for tough solutions from tough leaders. And Senate President Sotto and I are tough leaders)," Lacson said.

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Lacson-Sotto tandem begins barnstorming in ‘Solid North’

Lacson-Sotto tandem begins barnstorming in ‘Solid North’

MARCH 14, 2022 - CAUAYAN, Isabela — In 1988, Senator Panfilo Lacson began serving as the police provincial commander in Isabela.

Thirty-four years later, he is back in the province as a presidential candidate to begin barnstorming more “Solid North” provinces with his running mate, vice presidential contender Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

On Monday, the tandem continued their national campaign ahead of the May 9 polls and started wooing voters in more provinces considered as the turf of another presidential contender, former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Speaking before Cauayan local officials, city hall employees as well as supporters after a flag ceremony, Lacson recalled his stint as Isabela’s provincial commander from 1988 to 1989.

“How time flies, some 34 years ago, ako ay in-appoint as provincial commander ng Isabela,” said Lacson, who eventually became the national police chief in 1991.

Lacson also recalled surviving an ambush.

“May mga pangyayari na dapat, may mangyari sayo, hindi nangyari dahil nga mayroong nagi-intervene sa taas. Siguro talagang yun ang fate, kaya sabi ko nga wala ako sa harapan ninyo…sa akin talaga yun ambush na ‘yon,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sotto stressed his and Lacson’s experience in crafting laws. It is time, he reiterated, that he and his presidential running mate implement these measures.

“Forty-two years,” Sotto said, referring to the total years he and Lacson served in the legislature.

“Matanda lang sa ‘min ng isang taon ang Eat Bulaga,” he added.

After attending Monday’s flag ceremony, the tandem will head to the FLDy Coliseum for a sectoral meeting with barangay officials, women and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community.

They will also meet with local government officials in the afternoon.

On Tuesday, Lacson and Sotto are scheduled to visit Cagayan and Quirino on Wednesday.

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In NPA's 'Birthplace,' Lacson Pushes Unity vs Insurgency

In NPA's 'Birthplace,' Lacson Pushes Unity vs Insurgency

March 14, 2022 - It is time for the Filipino people to unite and end more than five decades of insurgency that has blighted the Philippines.

Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson made this call on Monday as he visited Isabela province, where the New People's Army (NPA) was born in Jones town in 1969.

"Dapat talaga, the Philippines deserves a better peace and order and prosperity. Dapat magkaisa-isa na tayo para ang kapayapaan at katahimikan mamayani sa ating bansa at tuloy umasenso na tayong lahat (I believe the Philippines deserves a better peace and order and prosperity. We should unite so there will be peace and prosperity in our country and we can live better lives)," Lacson said at the flag-raising ceremony in Cauayan, Isabela.

“Our country needs strong leadership, someone with vision and the ability to implement peace and order,” he added.

Lacson noted that during the five decades of insurgency, more than 2,000 people have been killed while billions of pesos had been lost to the NPAs who collect revolutionary taxes and burn the equipment of businessmen who do not cooperate.

Also, he pointed out President Rodrigo Duterte himself has cited intelligence information indicating the Communist Party of the Philippines, NPA and National Democratic Front may have "infiltrated" the campaigns of some camps.

Lacson said the Philippines has already experienced twice the scenario of those identified with the CPP-NPA getting government posts - with the NPA gaining strength each time.

"Napansin namin, ang lalakas ng armas so pag nasa govt ang CPP-NPA lumalakas ang pwersa nila within the govt bureaucracy itself (We noticed that when those in the CPP-NPA join the government, the NPA's weapons become more powerful)," he said, adding the people can no longer allow the CPP-NPA to enter into a "coalition" with the government a third time.

In his speech, Lacson also recalled his stint in Isabela in 1988 as then provincial commander of the Philippine Constabulary. During his stint there, he said he stopped the NPA's practice of conducting checkpoints there, and enforced the Constabulary's checkpoints.

He cited one mission where the NPA ambushed his men, with Lt. Rosauro Toda - a member of Philippine Military Academy Class 1986 - among the fatalities. Lacson noted the ambush had been meant for him, had Toda’s reinforcing group not hit the ambush site ahead of the main force which he was leading.

Lacson, who is running for President under Partido Reporma, visited Isabela province with his vice presidential bet, Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III. Sotto, in his speech, noted he had worked for the cityhood of Cauayan.

The call of Lacson is in line with the Lacson-Sotto tandem's platform of giving Filipinos a better life by fixing the ills in government (Aayusin ang gobyerno, aayusin ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino), and going after crooks especially in government (Uubusin ang magnanakaw).

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Lacson Laments 'Sports Politics' in Obiena's Exclusion from World Indoor Championships

Lacson Laments 'Sports Politics' in Obiena's Exclusion from World Indoor Championships

March 13, 2022 - An ugly self-inflicted loss, no thanks to "sports politics."

This was how Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson described the exclusion of international pole vaulter Ernest John "EJ" Obiena from the World Indoor Championships.

"EJ Obiena: a case of missed opportunity because of sports politics. Sayang," Lacson said on his Twitter account Sunday.

Obiena's exclusion stemmed from his non-endorsement by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA), with which he has a rift.

"Unacceptable! We just threw away a golden opportunity to showcase our world-class talent - all because we cannot get our acts together," Lacson said.

"I am sure we Filipinos can accept losing in a fair competition. What we cannot accept is being denied the opportunity to compete in the first place," he added.

Lacson likened the plight of Obiena to local homegrown scientists who go abroad and thrive there because they did not get the much-needed support at home.

"We have so many homegrown talents, whether they be in science and technology or sports. But we simply don't maximize their talents and instead allow them to go abroad. When they succeed there, we can only feel regret for not supporting them earlier," he said.

On Saturday, Obiena lamented his non-inclusion in the international meet all because PATAFA did not endorse him. He said he is in "prime physical and mental condition," and is "ready to be the first Philippine HOME-GROWN athlete to compete in the Worlds" - yet ended up being "the only top-ranked vaulter not participating."

Lacson said it is time that Philippine sports authorities draw up a mechanism to make national sports associations like the PATAFA accountable and answerable for failing to develop homegrown talents.

"So much taxpayers' money goes to our sports bodies to do one job: make sure we develop our athletes and give them the opportunity to represent us especially in international competitions. Clearly something went wrong in EJ's case and we Filipinos are sadly paying the price," he said.

"We dropped the ball in EJ's case. The least we can do now is to make sure this does not happen again," he added.

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Lacson: Suspend Fuel Excise Tax Now

Lacson: Suspend Fuel Excise Tax Now

March 13, 2022 - With fuel prices expected to shoot up yet again, threatening to further raise the cost of living, Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson called for the immediate suspension of excise taxes on fuel products even on a temporary basis until such time that the international price of oil stabilizes to a manageable level.

Lacson, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, said this will provide the much-needed breathing space not just to motorists but also to virtually all sectors affected by the upward trend in fuel prices.

But he also stressed that in the meantime, the government must draw up long-term solutions to the crisis, including the use of renewable energy.

"Another round of price hikes in fuel is expected this week and this time, the increases are unprecedented. The Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) reference price for refined petroleum products and other oil price indices have already reached levels never seen before as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine," Lacson said, adding prices of gasoline and diesel per liter could hit more than P80-90 per liter.

Lacson proposed that a mechanism be put in place, where the excise tax on fuel will be suspended when crude oil prices based on the MOPS reach or exceed $90 to $100 per barrel. The excise tax can be re-imposed when the prices go below these levels.

He pointed out the urgency of the matter as the upward trend in fuel prices will also impact the prices of food and other basic commodities.

"The upward trajectory of fuel prices is expected to continue and the government must do something now to mitigate the impact of international oil prices on motorists, the public transport sector, fisherfolk and farmers who will bear the brunt of this burden if we do not act now," Lacson stressed.

While there may be a loss of revenue for the government when the excise tax is suspended, he said "what matters now is the plight of ordinary Filipinos."

"Government should give the people 'breathing space' so that the economy can recover. This is a temporary measure but it will be welcomed as we are all just trying to get back on our feet," Lacson said.

"Our long-term solutions should be in investing in renewable energy, facilitating the transition to electric vehicles in our transport sector, and exploring for oil, gas and other indigenous energy resources that can supply sustainable energy. This will serve multiple purposes in relation to climate, the environment and sustainable development. This will remove our dependence on imported fuel and will be a buffer against disruptions like war," he added.

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