Lacson: Reviving MSMEs Key to Addressing Unemployment

Lacson: Reviving MSMEs Key to Addressing Unemployment

April 8, 2022 - Reviving our micro-, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) should be the government's priority in tackling the problem of unemployment, independent presidential bet Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson said.

Lacson pointed out that MSMEs are still recovering from the lockdowns triggered by the pandemic, even as they now face new challenges such as rising costs of fuel.

"Buhayin ang MSME, yan ang biggest source natin of employment. Yan ang unang bumagsak so kailangang buhayin (We should revive our MSMEs, which are the biggest supplier of labor. Our MSMEs should be the first to be revived)," he said in an interview in Bogo, Cebu on Thursday, when asked how he would address the problem if he were elected President.

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

On Thursday, the Philippine Statistics Authority said the unemployment rate in February was at 6.4 percent. This meant some 3.13 million were unemployed in February 2022.

Lacson said that if he is elected into office, he would ensure easier access for MSMEs to financial assistance. Earlier, he and his vice presidential bet Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III vowed to set up a mechanism for this.

According to Lacson, various government agencies have at least 20 programs including microfinancing and credit facilities, but MSMEs may not be aware of them.

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

Lacson also said his administration will set up programs for skills matching, such that the basis of employment will be one's skills and not age or "disability."

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TONY LAVIÑA: LACSON IS THE CLEAR WINNER IN THESE INTERVIEWS!

TONY LAVIÑA: LACSON IS THE CLEAR WINNER IN THESE INTERVIEWS!

VOTE!

NR:5-PING LACSON FOR PRESIDENT

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Lacson wants to decriminalize libel, ‘more teeth’ to civil liabilities

Lacson wants to decriminalize libel, ‘more teeth’ to civil liabilities

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — A “sword of Damocles” should no longer be hung over the heads of journalists, presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson said as he vowed to spearhead any move to decriminalize libel.

However, Lacson said there should be “more teeth” to civil liabilities.

“For the media in general, I will support any move and even spearhead a move to decriminalize libel. This is a perennial problem. But ito yung [this is the] catch, i-decriminalize natin [let’s decriminalize] but we’ll put in more teeth doon sa [to] civil liabilities. Because after all, you should be responsible enough with what you are writing or broadcasting,” he told reporters in a press conference here.

“So alisin natin ‘yung [So let us remove the] criminal aspect pero dagdagan natin yung [but be more strict with] civil liabilities,” he added.

“Meaning pwede kayong pagmultahin ng hanggang [erring journalists could be fined up to] P100 million, joke lang [just kidding],” he said.

Under the Revised Penal Code, libel is punishable by imprisonment of six months to six years.

The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, or Republic Act No. 10175, on the other hand, punishes the crime of libel committed through the use of the internet.

“Yung pag-spearhead o pag-support ng [The spearheading or support for the] move to decriminalize, it’s about time. Because…in this day and age of this modern information technology, wala na dapat ‘yung mga laging merong naka-hang na [there should be no more hanging of the] sword of Damocles, so to speak, over the heads of our media people,” Lacson continued.

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Lacson-Sotto tandem unperturbed by latest survey results

Lacson-Sotto tandem unperturbed by latest survey results

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 6) — Presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson and his running mate Senate President Vicente Sotto III are unfazed by the results of the latest survey by Pulse Asia.

Lacson said surveys are no longer believable as it does not reflect their experience on the ground.

“Hindi naman kami nasa bahay lang at nanonood," Lacson told reporters. "Kami mismo nagpupunta and I think hindi lang naman ako ang pwedeng magsabi niyan.”

[Translation: We are not just at home and watching everything. We travel to places and I think I'm not the only one who can say this.]

The latest Pulse Asia survey conducted from March 17 to 21 showed that Lacson remains in the fifth spot with 2% rating, while Sotto is still in second place with 20%.

“I’m not disturbed with the surveys," Lacson stressed. "Sabi nga namin, lahat ng rallies na pinupuntahan namin, hindi lang rally, direct engagement with the people. We' ll stick to that.”

[Translation: As we said, we go to all rallies and we have direct engagement with the people.]

Meanwhile, Sotto echoed Lacson’s stance saying that surveys only condition the minds of the voting public.

“We have the support of the people on the ground," Sotto said in a statement. "I don't know what figures they are talking about.”

The tandem said they will just continue their strategy of engaging voters through town hall meetings.

They have been wooing voters in Central Visayas in the past few days. Lacson said they will return to Cebu to try to get as many votes as possible in the latter part of the month.

“We are working on it," Lacson said. "That's why gusto naming bisitahin ang North Cebu, South Cebu, and we have schedules for later part of April for the City of Cebu.”

[Translation: We are working on it. That’s why we wanted to visit North Cebu, South Cebu, and we have schedules for the later part of April for the City of Cebu.]

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On the Call to Exempt Teachers' Election Honoraria from Taxes

On the Call to Exempt Teachers' Election Honoraria from Taxes

April 7, 2022 - It goes without saying that I support such an appeal from our public school teachers. It is the least that the government can give them as incentive for the extra and thankless - yet patriotic - duty.

There is no time to lose for the agencies concerned to act on the matter. Our teachers who are going on election duty deserve no less.

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On the Comelec's Allowing the Resumption of Fuel Subsidy Distribution

On the Comelec's Allowing the Resumption of Fuel Subsidy Distribution

April 7, 2022 - Way to go and kudos to the Commission on Elections for acting expeditiously on such a no-brainer issue involving the fuel subsidy grant under the Special Provision under the Department of Transportation's 2022 budget.

This is a great deal for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators, as well as farmers and fisherfolk who are dealing with the continued rise in prices of oil.

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Lacson slams billionaires among party-list nominees: Time to amend law

Lacson slams billionaires among party-list nominees: Time to amend law

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — Presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday said the purpose of the party-list system has been defeated as he criticized billionaires that “dominate” the party-list representations in Congress

“Ang original intent ng party list system, ‘yung batas, naka-enumerate doon kung ano ang mga marginalized, mga farmers, kung anu-ano talaga ‘yung marginalized but over time puro bilyonaryo na ‘yung nominees, ‘yung mga congressmen, mga representative. Alam mo minsan kapag pumunta kayo sa loob ng Forbes Park eh andun ‘yung ang lalaking billboard ng mga party-list, ‘yung mga kumakandidato,” Lacsont told reporters here.

(The original intent of the party-list system, the law enumerates what sectors are marginalized, the farmers, but over time it seems that nominees are billionaires, the congressmen, the representatives. You know, sometimes, when you go to Forbes Park, there are big billboards of party lists and the face of the candidate.)

“Hindi na talaga marginalized ang representation ng party-list and it defeated the purpose of representation ng mga marginalized sector. Saan ka nakakita party-list ‘di ba, security guards may party-list, tapos basketball may party-list,” he added.

(The representation is not really marginalized anymore and it defeated the purpose of representation of the marginalized sector. Where can you see a party list for security guards, for basketball players?)

While these are sectors that also need attention, Lacson said there are “more deserving” groups that need representation in the House of Representatives to advocate for their needs.

Asked if the law providing for the party-list system should be amended, Lacson answered in the affirmative.

“From the original intent of giving the marginalized sector representation in the legislature, it has now evolved into something else. Billionaires dominate the party-list representation which has effectively defeated the intent of the law,” Lacson said in a separate message to reporters.

This, as he agreed with President Rodrigo Duterte’s view on the party-list system in the country, which the Chief Executive said is being used by the rich to lobby for their interests in Congress.

“It clearly shows how grounded PRRD is. He knows exactly how the party-list system has been abused over time,” Lacson said.

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LACSON-SOTTO TANDEM: "HINDI NAMIN KAYO BIBIGUIN"

LACSON-SOTTO TANDEM: "HINDI NAMIN KAYO BIBIGUIN"

IBOTO SA DARATING NA

MAYO 9, 2022!

LACSON SA NUMERO 5

SOTTO SA NUMERO 9

HUWAG KALIMUTAN!

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ANG PROGRAMA AT PLATAPORMA NG LACSON-SOTTO TANDEM!

ANG PROGRAMA AT PLATAPORMA NG LACSON-SOTTO TANDEM!

HUWAG KALIMUTAN SA MAYO 9, 2022

LACSON NR. 5 FOR PRESIDENT

SOTTO NR. 9 FOR VICE-PRESIDENT

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Lacson, Sotto favor renewing ABS-CBN franchise ‘to enhance competition’

Lacson, Sotto favor renewing ABS-CBN franchise ‘to enhance competition’

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — The tandem of Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III has expressed approval to the franchise renewal of broadcast giant ABS-CBN.

“Yes, not for anything, but to enhance competitiveness or competition,” Lacson told reporters in a press conference here on Tuesday when asked if he is in favor of renewing ABS-CBN’s franchise.

“Kasi dati dalawa ‘yung [Before there were two] TV networks, of course may [there is] SMNI, TV5, CNN, marami pang iba pero magbawas ka ng isa, mababawasan ‘yung [and others, but take out one, it would lessen the] competition,” he added.

Lacson also acknowledged the role of the media in exposing abuses in the government.

“Dapat i-enhance natin ‘yung [We should enhance the] participation ng [of] mass media in our society. Kasi kayo ‘yung watchdog, hindi ba [Because the media is the watchdgo, right]? Siguro kung walang media, mas maraming [Maybe if there’s no media, there would be more] abuses. That’s a fact,” the presidential candidate said.

Sotto agreed: “Like 1972…Maraming[many]  abuses, walang [no] media.”

The Senate president went on to say that he is in favor of renewing the franchise of ABS-CBN, citing a bill he earlier filed in the Senate to revive the network’s franchise.

ABS-CBN’s franchise expired in May 2020 and the National Telecommunications Commission directed the network to stop operating its free television and radio broadcasting stations.

When ABS-CBN’s franchise expired, its franchise application was still pending before the House committee on legislative franchises, which denied its renewal in July 2020.

Since ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal was denied in the House, the Senate could not act on it as franchise bills should first be approved in the lower chamber.

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Lacson Questions Suspension of Fuel Subsidy Distribution

Lacson Questions Suspension of Fuel Subsidy Distribution

April 7, 2022 - Independent presidential candidate Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson questioned Tuesday the suspension of fuel subsidies to public utility vehicle operators and drivers by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board during the election period from March 25 to May 8.

Lacson said that unless there is jurisprudence affirming such a suspension, it is unfair to the PUV operators and drivers, as well as drivers of tricycles and regular delivery services hit by the escalating oil prices.

"Unless there is jurisprudence along that line, I don’t think the national government should be covered by the election ban on providing social services to our people especially at a time when the prices of fuel continue to go up," he said.

Lacson said the fuel subsidy is a "call of the times," adding the continued rise in the prices of oil threaten to crush those in the transport sector, as well as fisherfolk and farmers.

Also, Lacson strongly urged the Senate to act on the issue by exercising its oversight functions and questioning the basis of the implementing agencies for suspending the subsidy.

Besides, he said the law particularly the General Appropriations Act stipulates that the government provide subsidies to affected sectors.

"Hindi ko ma-reconcile ang vote buying pagdating sa ganyan (I do not see how that can be construed as vote buying)," he said.

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