Lacson-Sotto Tandem Eyes Central Financing Facility for MSMEs

Lacson-Sotto Tandem Eyes Central Financing Facility for MSMEs

March 23, 2022 - Instead of several government agencies offering various assistance packages to micro-, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) badly hit by the pandemic, why not pool their funds into one financing facility?

Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson said this would make it easier for MSMEs to seek assistance, whether they were affected by the pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine, climate change, or other calamities.

Lacson said he and his vice presidential bet, Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, intend to set up such a mechanism should they be elected into office.

"Ang iniisip namin ni Senate President Sotto rito, i-streamline natin. Bakit di natin i-pool sa isang pondo kung saan ilagak natin para alam ng MSME na tinamaan ng pandemya o anumang crisis, giyerang Russia sa Ukraine, sa climate change, kalamidad, meron agad silang pupuntahan na ahensya kung saan accessible sila (Senate President Sotto and I were thinking, why not pool all these into one fund to help MSMEs, whether they are hit by the pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine, climate change, or other calamities? The bottom line is they will know where to seek assistance)?" Lacson said at the "Kandidatalks" program aired Wednesday on One PH.

He noted MSMEs account for 99.5 percent of our enterprises, and 63.2 percent of our labor force.

Yet, he said that while various government agencies have at least 20 programs including microfinancing and credit facilities, MSMEs may not be aware of them.

Lacson said he and Sotto were surprised to learn that there are such programs under the Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Agriculture, among others.

Worse, he said many MSMEs resort to borrowing from private banks because they did not fully understand the requirements to avail of government assistance.

"Isip namin ni SP, streamline natin (Senate President Sotto and I are thinking of streamlining all this)," he said.

*********

Read More

Solo parents’ group backs former PNP chief Eleazar’s Senate bid

Solo parents’ group backs former PNP chief Eleazar’s Senate bid

MANILA, Philippines – An advocacy group for solo parents took to social media to encourage its followers to vote for former PNP chief and senatorial candidate Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar in the May 9 elections.

Eleazar was among the seven senatorial candidates endorsed by the National Council for Solo Parents, Inc. (NCSP) on Saturday (March 19).

The endorsement was formally announced by the group on their Facebook page which has more than 13,000 followers.

“After a meeting of the Board of Directors of the National Council for Solo Parents, we hereby endorse the candidacy for the position of senator of the following: #23 Gen. Guillermo Eleazar,” the NCSP said.

Eleazar thanked the group for their support as he vowed to include in his priorities the welfare of solo parents, especially in helping them cope up with the challenges of the pandemic.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa suporta na ibinigay sa akin ng National Council for Solo Parents. Saludo ako sa mga magulang na mag-isang itinataguyod ang kanilang mga anak kahit pa ang ibig sabihin nito ay pareho nilang ginagampanan ang mga tungkulin at responsibilidad ng isang ama’t ina. Lubos po ang aking respeto at paghanga sa inyo,” said Eleazar.

Livelihood opportunities

“Kaya naman nais kong suklian ang inyong pagsasakripisyo sa pamamagitan ng pagtitiyak na kayo ay magkakaroon ng sapat na livelihood opportunities kahit na kayo ay nasa bahay lang,” Eleazar added.

Eleazar said he acknowledges solo parents’ sacrifice in balancing their time between raising their children and earning a living. 

“Kaya naman nais natin na palakasin ang kapasidad ng local government units para matulungan ang mga solo parents na kumita habang nasa bahay lang. Sa ganitong paraan ay maaalagaan nila ang kanilang pamilya at may source of income pa sila para itaguyod ang mag-anak sa gitna ng pandemya,” he said.

“Dapat ay mayroon ding specific na opisina o yunit sa bawat barangay na tutugon sa mga hinaing ng mga solo parents. Ang mga opisinang ito ay pwede rin magbigay ng seminar o trainings para sa mga solo parents na makakatulong sa kanila para madevelop ang kanilang skills at maaaring pagmulan ng pagtatayo ng business,” he added.

He said this proposal would entail the collaboration of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

*********

Read More

Lacson Prepared to Put Life on the Line Anew for Filipinos

Lacson Prepared to Put Life on the Line Anew for Filipinos

March 23, 2022 - After risking his life for Filipinos in his 50-plus years in public service, Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson is prepared to once again put his life on the line for the Filipino people - this time, as the leader the nation badly needs.

Lacson said Saturday evening that he is offering his competence, qualification and experience - the traits a leader needs - to fight for the Filipino people.

"Mula sa pagiging sundalo at alagad ng batas na lumaban sa terorismo, rebeldeng komunista at pusakal na kriminal; bilang Chief PNP na nagpatino at naglinis ng hanay ng kapulisan; bilang Senador na kailanman hindi nabahiran ng korapsyon, nais ko pong ipagpatuloy na magsilbi sa ating bayan (From a soldier and law enforcer who has fought terrorists, communist rebels and criminals; as a Philippine National Police chief who cleansed the police force of rogues; and as a Senator who never allowed corruption to taint him, I wish to continue giving my brand of service to our nation)," he said in his closing statement at the Commission on Elections' First Presidential Debate.

Lacson spent 20 years in the Philippine Constabulary and 10 in the PNP, and 18 years in the Senate. He also served as Presidential Assistant on Rehabilitation and Recovery to help those affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

As a law enforcer and lawmaker, Lacson earned enemies due to his integrity, as well as his stern discipline and leadership by example.

The Partido Reporma standard-bearer pointed out that among the current crop of presidentiables, only he has placed his life on the line in the service of the Filipino people.

He noted the nation now faces humongous problems, ranging from an economy battered by the pandemic and by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine; a ballooning debt that has exceeded P12 trillion; and corruption in the government, among others.

"Among all the Presidential aspirants —narito man o laging absent — walang sinuman kundi ako ang sadya at aktwal na nagsugal ng sariling buhay sa pagligtas sa panganib ng sinuman (Among all the presidential aspirants both present and absent here, no one else has laid his life on the line in the Filipino people's service)," he said.

He added it takes a competent, qualified and experienced leader to turn campaign promises into reality.

"It takes a leader who is competent, qualified and experienced, to turn the promises of unity, Bilis Aksyon, Angat Buhay into reality. Kailangan natin ng Pangulo na handang ipaglaban kayong lahat para ipanalo ang sambayanang Pilipino (We need a President who is ready to fight and win for the Filipino people)," he said.

*********

Read More

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.

*********

Read More

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.

*********

Read More

Tito Sotto wants VP to be Senate president

Tito Sotto wants VP to be Senate president

Please Watch and Share

👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

Read More

ANTHONY TABERNA ENDORSE PING LACSON FOR PRESIDENT

ANTHONY TABERNA ENDORSE PING LACSON FOR PRESIDENT

VOTE: PING LACSON NR 5 SA BALOTA

Please Watch and Share

👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

Read More

PING LACSON NUMERO 5 SA BALOTA "SAGRADO ANG BOTO MO"

PING LACSON 

NUMERO 5 SA BALOTA 

"SAGRADO ANG BOTO MO"

Read More

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.

*********

Read More

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.

*********

Read More

LACSON-SOTTO TANDEM: "HINDI KAMI AATRAS"

LACSON-SOTTO TANDEM: "HINDI KAMI AATRAS"

VOTE: LACSON- NR 5 SA BALOTA

SOTTO - NR 9 SA BALOTA

Read More