Face the Issue (Part 2)

* Privilege Speech by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson delivered April 27, 2008 *

This will be a short privilege speech.  At the outset I would like to thank the minority leader for yielding the floor to this representation and likewise to the lady senator from Antique.

Mr. President, I stand on a matter of personal and collective privilege. Last Monday, 20 April 2009, this representation took the floor to clarify certain misleading statements made by some of our colleagues at the minority bloc in connection with the ethics complaint against a member of this chamber. Thereafter the gentleman from Las Piñas stood on the floor of this Senate, ostensibly to respond to my privilege speech delivered last Monday.

Sa kanyang talumpati, Ginoong Pangulo, kasama sa maraming binanggit ni Senador Manuel Villar Jr. ang mga sumusunod and I quote: ‘I was accused on this floor. I will answer it here on this floor, hindi po doon sa kangaroo court ng ethics committee headed by no less than one of my accusers and the members of which are all presidentiables.’

Sa pangalawang pagkakataon sa kanyang talumpati noong Lunes, sinabi rin niya ang sumusunod: ‘Mahaba pa po Ginoong Pangulo ang aking gustong sabihin. Subali’t ang issue po ngayon ay ang ethics committee. Ang C5 sasagutin ko yan. Hindi ako natatakot pero hindi po sa ethics committee, dito sa floor.’ Upang maiwasang ibahin na naman ng ilan nating mga kasamahan dito sa Senado ang mga binitiwang pananalita ni Sen. Villar, minabuti ko bigkasin ang bawa’t kataga, walang dagdag, walang bawas at naaayon sa journal and transcript of records ng Senado.

Mr. President, for the record, the ethics committee is not a kangaroo court. In fact, it has not constituted itself as a body to exercise its adjudication functions. And I am not the accuser. The senator from Bicol region and Pampanga, Jamby Madrigal, is the complainant and therefore his accuser.

My privilege speech last Sept. 15, 2008 regarding the issue of double insertion in the 2008 national budget is not even part of the complaint filed by the lady senator from Bicol. The complaint is about allegations of conflict of interest and improper conduct committed by Sen. Villar in realigning the road right of way for his own benefit and self-interest.

Dahil sa Senado, Ginoong Pangulo, naiparating sa sambayanan ang mga masasamang gawain ng isang itago na lang natin sa pangalang Jose Pidal at ang malawakang illegal gambling katulad ng jueteng na talamak sa buong bansa.

Dahil sa Senado napalitaw sa sambayanan ang katakot-takot na corruption sa iba’t ibang sangay ng ehekutibo, particular dito ang gahiganteng tongpats sa NBN ZTE deal, ang pagkakagamit ng pondo ng bayan sa mga pekeng fertilizer sa pagpapalakad ni Undersecretary Jocjoc Bolante, maging ang nakakahiyang pagka-blacklist ng World Bank mismo sa ilang mga kontratista na nagnenegosyo sa ating pamahalaan.

Hindi naman siguro maganda Ginoong Pangulo sa pananaw ng bayan at lalong hindi makatarungan kung tayo ay nag-iimbestiga at pumupuna sa kamalian ng ibang sangay ng pamahalaan nguni’t mananahimik na lamang tayo kung isa sa atin ay naparatangan ng kamalian.

Kaya may committee on ethics and privileges ang Senado, at maging ang Mababang Kapulungan meron ding kaukulang komiteng tulad nito.

Ginoong Pangulo ang katotohanan ay dapat lumitaw. Ito ang batayan ng katarungan. But Mr. President, the gentleman from Las Piñas refuses to recognize the ethics committee as constituted by this Senate. And by his own statements made on the floor of this Senate last Monday, April 20, 2009, he repeatedly vowed that he would answer Senator Madrigal’s accusations not before the ethics committee but on the floor of the Senate.

Ginoong Pangulo, upang mabigyan ng karapat-dapat na proteksyon at integridad ang Senado bilang institusyon na kinabibilangan ng bawa’t isa sa atin at kinikilala ng sambayanang Pilipino bilang sandigan ng katotohanan at katarungan at ayon na rin sa ginawang pakikipagugnayan sa mga regular na kaanib ng ethics committee na nagbigay ng kanilang pahintulot sa akin, ay nais ko pong hilingin na ipaubaya natin sa Committee of the Whole ang pag-alam ng katotohanan tungkol sa kasong sinampa ni Senadora Jamby Madrigal laban kay Senador Manuel Villar Jr.

Lest this move be misinterpreted to mean otherwise, this representation as chair and all the regular members of the committee on ethics and privileges are not, I repeat, are not abandoning our sworn duty entrusted to us by our peers. Neither is it to accept the accusation by some of our peers that we in the Senate ethics committee cannot act with fairness, probity and impartiality. We have, I repeat, acted with utmost respect for due process and according to the tenets of fairness especially upon a peer in this august body.

But so as to strengthen the institution that is the Senate, and to protect it from unwarranted assaults upon its collective integrity, I therefore move Mr. President that the responsibility of the ethics committee pertinent to the case filed by Sen. Jamby Madrigal against Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. be henceforth undertaken by all of us in the Senate acting as a Committee of the Whole.

I also move that the Senate President be the presiding officer of the Committee of the Whole and that the proceedings be in accordance with the rules of the committee on ethics and privileges as published in the Official Gazette last March 23, 2009.

I so move, Mr. President.

*****

Face the Issue

* Privilege Speech by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson delivered April 20, 2008 *

Mr. President, distinguished colleagues of the 14th Congress of the Philippine Senate, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. I rise on a matter of personal and collective privilege.

The great American poet, Robert Lee Frost once wrote – “The best way out is always through.”

A leader of men, as we all ought to be in this august chamber, must face and confront an issue, explaining his side, grappling through it like a real leader.

Sinuman sa atin ang maging tampulan ng mga katanungang kailangang sagutin o panagutan, marapat lamang na tayo mismo ang sumagot. Hindi dapat na i-asa sa ilang kasamahang itinuturing na kapantay nating lahat sa loob ng kapita-pitagang bulwagang ito. Sapagka’t tayong lahat ay inihalal ng sambayanang Pilipino. Tayong lahat ay tinitingala ng sambayanan bilang mga tunay na lider --- marunong manindigan, may sariling isip, may sariling pananagutan. Kung nais nating maging lider, huwag tayong magtago o mangunyapit sa pundilyo ng pantalon ng ilan nating mga kasamahan.

At sakaling may hamon sa ating integridad, dapat lamang na tayuan, harapin at sagutin natin ang mga tanong na tanging tayo lamang, higit kaninuman, ang may kaalaman at kakayahang sumagot. Gusto nating ituring na pinuno, matuto tayong tumayo sa sarili nating mga paa. Doon tayo sa harapan, huwag sa likuran o sa isang tabi lamang. Maliban na nga lamang kung tayo ay nagpapanggap at nagkukunwaring may kakayahang mamuno. At lalong hindi nararapat na daanin sa dami ng salapi para lamang mapagtakpan ang maaaring napakalaking kasalanan sa  taumbayan.

Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, it was unfortunate that I was not in the session hall, as I had to attend an urgent meeting outside the Senate premises, when the distinguished minority leader took the floor and questioned certain actions taken by the Committee on Ethics and Privileges which I chair.

In the succeeding discussion, I will address the points raised by the honorable gentleman from Cagayan de Oro City.

Before that, Mr. President, let me state for the record that I had on at least two occasions, as the Senate records will bear me out, pleaded right here in this same hall to allow the members of the minority bloc to nominate their representatives to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges. On as many occasions, they refused to heed my appeal. I now wish to take the opportunity to reiterate that appeal. My reason is as simple as it is significant – the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges is the only committee given the mandate and power to adjudicate and put a peer to trial. It is the only committee that can recommend to the rest of us the dismissal, suspension and other sanctions that it may deem proper to impose on an erring colleague based on the facts and evidence presented before it.

We all have different obsessions. Some can get obsessed with power; some with fame; Rare, if I may observe, are those obsessed with paranoia.

Out of the three, I truly believe paranoia requires the most in dedication and commitment. Indeed, paranoia requires skill.

Mr. President, after almost eight years in this office, I have realized that making laws is the easy part of being a Senator. Navigating the political landmines is the difficult part.

As Chairman of Ethics Committee and, on behalf of its members, I am aware that I have to temper the duties of my office and strike a balance between duty and perception, especially when dealing with a respondent with appointed   seconds inside and outside this hall, lest I be accused of political railroading.

Ginoong Pangulo, habang ang komite ay nagpupulong sa Laurel Room ng Senado noong Miyerkules ng tanghali, sa labas naman ay may mga dalawampung naka-maskara na may dalang mga animo’y laruang pugot ang ulo at ibinibintang sa inyong abang lingkod ang pagpaslang sa halos lahat na yata ng napatay sa Pilipinas. At, bakit nga ba tinakpan nila ang kanilang mga mukha? Kasing duwag ba sila ng nagbayad sa kanila upang mag-martsa at sabayan ang pagdinig ng Committee on Ethics and Privileges?

Mr. President, since on this matter at least, we are obsessed with procedures, let us talk about procedures.

First of all, for the record, the Committee on Ethics and Privileges has never, I repeat, never issued a report, much less a committee report on the standing complaint of Senator Ma. Ana Consuelo Madrigal against Senator Manuel B. Villar, Jr.

What was circulated is a mere order. An order that was the result of a careful study by the committee’s general counsel; an order that simply states that the complaint lodged against the Senator from Las Piñas is sufficient in form and substance; an order that according to the Rules of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges that was published in the Official Gazette on March 23, 2009 in compliance with the requirements of the law, had to be promulgated and adopted in a regular committee meeting held last April 15, 2009 before it could finally become valid and enforceable; an order that would accord Senator Villar the right to file his reply within five days upon receipt, to determine if a preliminary inquiry will take place or not.

In other words, the committee meeting held on April 15, 2009 was not a fait accompli. (At lalong hindi ito moro-moro.) Rather, it was undertaken either to ratify or reject that order.

And again, for the record, even when a complaint is determined to be sufficient in form and substance, such as in the case of Senator Madrigal’s complaint, such determination does not necessarily result in the respondent’s guilt.

Under Section 22a of Rule 4 of the Ethics Committee, the next step is for the committee to conduct a preliminary inquiry. A preliminary inquiry includes an opportunity for any known respondent to present either a written statement or to respond orally to questions of the committee.

Apparently, some equate the mere determination by the Committee that the complaint complied with form and substance, with already credible evidence that provides substantial cause for the same committee to conclude that a violation within its jurisdiction has already been committed.

Sadyang napakahaba pa ang tatahaking landas at marami pang gagampanang gawain ang komite bago makaabot, kung sakali man, sa pagsusumite ng isang report na pag-uusapan at pagbobotohan pa nating lahat sa plenaryo.

It should best serve the interest of all parties concerned, most especially the Senate as an institution, for a respondent in a valid complaint to just answer whatever accusations are leveled against him before the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, instead of resorting to squid tactics aimed at muddling the issue and trivializing the very foundation of the code of conduct and ethical standards that bind each and every one of us.

Halimbawa, isa sa mga alegasyon sa naturang reklamo ni Senadora Jamby Madrigal ay ang pagkaka-aksaya ng 1.2 bilyung pisong naibayad na ng pamahalaan sa lupang pag-aari ni Bro, Mike Velarde na siya sanang gagawing daan mula Sucat Road sa Paranaque City patungong Coastal Road.

AD-LIB

Ito ay sa dahilang ayon sa alegasyon ni Senadora Madrigal, ang isang road-right-of-way project mula Sucat Road sa Parañaque City patungo sa Coastal Road ay nagawa pang ilihis diumano ng isinasangkot sa kasong ito na si Senador Manuel B. Villar, Jr., gamit daw ang kanyang impluwensiya at kapangyarihan bilang isang mataas na opisyal ng pamahalaan, upang diumano’y matamaan at madaanan ang mga lupaing sinasabi sa reklamo na pag-aari niya o ng kanyang mga korporasyon nang sa ganun ay tumaas ang halaga ng mga ito, diumano para sa pansariling interes at pakinabang.

Dahil hindi natin alam kung totoo o hindi ang mga alegasyon sa reklamo ng kagalang-galang  na Senadora  mula sa Bikol at Pampanga, hindi ba mas maganda kung ang mabibigat na akusasyong tulad nito ay sagutin na lamang ni Senador Villar sa tamang pamamaraan at sa harap ng komiteng naatasan ng Senado upang alamin ang katotohanan, sa halip na malihis pa ang isyu sa mga usaping wala namang batayan?

Anyway, the order that has been the concern of Senator Pimentel, and perhaps some members of the minority, is not only within the parameters of the rules of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, but also standard practice in other institutions performing similar duties and functions.

With all due respect to the gentleman from Cagayan de Oro, I would like to correct  the misimpression created by his statements on the floor last Wednesday. I would like to believe that he was grossly misinformed when he stated, as lifted from the transcript of last Wednesday’s session which I will quote - “For example, (this is Senator Pimentel speaking) I would really find it difficult to accept the proposition that we can issue already a committee report for signing the day before a meeting actually takes place...”

He kept on referring to that circulated order as a committee report. 

No sir! It was NOT a committee report that was circulated last April 14. 

Even the distinguished majority leader, Senator Miguel Zubiri may have also been misled into believing that what he signed was a committee report when he manifested on the floor, also last Wednesday, and I quote - “It was not my intent to sign any document, a committee report that had no committee hearing at that point in time.” 

No sir! It was NOT a committee report that the distinguished Majority Leader, signed. The gentleman from Bukidnon need not have sounded apologetic or remorseful for signing that document. 

Accusing this representation and the rest of the members of the Ethics Committee of issuing a committee report without observing due process is most unfair, to say the least, Mr. President. 

Not being a lawyer should not divest most of us in this hall  of the knowledge of a simple procedure. And appropriately so, I refer the chamber to the official statement issued by Supreme Court spokesman, Atty. Jose Midas Marquez, in relation to the celebrated Limkaichong case. He said, “A draft, whether signed or unsigned, remains a draft until promulgated. It has to be promulgated before we can call it a decision. So the leak was just a draft. It’s not yet a decision.” 

And up until a decision has been promulgated, the matter should remain internal among the members of the Court.

In the same manner and following the same principle, the order (not a committee report) circulated to the members of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges on April 14, 2009 was to be treated as a draft, whether signed or unsigned, and should remain internal among the members. Let me repeat, among committee members only.

It is not for public consumption until after proper promulgation and serviced to the parties concerned. It doesn’t help any if a so-called “angel” leaked the copy of that un-promulgated order.

In a leak following the Limkaichong-Paras election case, it is worth mentioning here that former Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruben Reyes was sanctioned by his peers for violating the confidentiality of internal matters still undergoing deliberations by the Court. Signed by the majority of the magistrates, the Court maintained that unless adopted in an en banc meeting, there was no decision to speak of. Hence, the statement of the Court’s spokesman which I quoted earlier.

Who is to say we cannot hold all Senators to the same high standards of integrity and propriety?

To further illustrate my point, when I was still a member of the Senate Electoral Tribunal deliberating on the Pimentel vs. Zubiri electoral protest, it was standard practice of the Tribunal  to circulate orders and resolutions relevant to the said election case to the members for their signatures ahead of the scheduled meetings. These orders were then deliberated upon for ratification or rejection during the meetings called for the purpose. (Kung hindi ganito ang patakarang sinusunod ng tribunal, marahil, magpahanggang sa mga oras na ito ay hindi pa natatapos ang pangunahing hakbang sa protesta ni Atty. Koko Pimentel laban kay Senador Zubiri. Marahil magpasahanggang ngayon ay hindi pa tapos rebisahin ang mga boto sa dalawampu’t limang bahagdan ng mga presintong kasama sa protesta ni Atty. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.)

Let it be known that up until that leak provided by that “angel” happened, no one in the media or in the public knew about the details of the order dated April 15, 2009. Precisely, we in the Committee know and respect the meaning of sensitivity and confidentiality.

 

It is unfortunate that there is at least one colleague in this chamber who takes pleasure at using every opportunity to twist the issue into a dirty political game.

It is said, the undeserving maintain power by promoting hysteria. And shame on him who wants to drag well-meaning Senators into the muck.

Mr. President, I have in my hands copies of letters from the Ethics Committee of the 12th Congress, regarding a complaint filed against me by a group who called themselves the People’s Consultative Assembly before the same Committee on Ethics and Privileges. This was in connection with the sworn statements executed by some nasty, lying characters led by Angelo “Ador” Mawanay. In a letter dated October 9, 2001, the Committee forwarded the details of the aforementioned joint complaint-affidavit. In another letter dated October 17, 2001, I was officially informed that the Committee had already conducted a preliminary discussion on the matter, and that I had to file my counter-affidavit in a preliminary inquiry. Yet, as can be seen from the records produced from the Senate archives, no meeting was held to tackle the complaint against me. Worse, the Ethics Committee of the 12th Congress did not bother to inform me beforehand that the complaint as filed was sufficient in form and substance. Moreover, the Senate Ethics Committee at that time did not care to find out that the Ethics Committee had no jurisdiction in the first place to tackle the complaint. Why? The accusations contained therein, never mind if the allegations were as incredible as they were ludicrous, were supposedly committed before I took my oath as a Senator of the Republic!

Mr. President, I did not run to my minority leader for help in 2001. I did not ask any peer to heckle for me. I did not mobilize marchers and protesters to muddle up the issue. I did not cry foul. I quietly filed my reply in the best way I knew how - by invoking the rules of the Ethics Committee, even when it was obvious that lapses were committed against my interest.  I acted the way a leader ought.  

And, as I am still conscious of those lapses, inadvertent and otherwise, committed by some of my colleagues in 2001, I assure you, Mr. President, distinguished majority leader, distinguished minority leader and the rest of our colleagues, that I have been very careful not to commit the same.

I am disappointed that at least one colleague has resorted to the same dirty politics that this administration plays on us and the Filipino people.

Mr. President, I am here to do my job, to make laws. Whatever number of friends I have earned the privilege of having here is an added bonus. But even those friends understand we have to be Senators first and camaraderie should be of lesser moment.

Before I end this privilege speech, with your indulgence, Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, let me perform a simple duty.

Under the rules of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, particularly, Sections 12 and 13, I would like to state for the record the following, thus –

Section 12. PAPERS REQUIRED TO BE FILED AND SERVED. Every motion, judgment, resolution, order, pleading subsequent to a complaint, written motion, notice, appearance or similar papers shall be filed with the committee and served to the parties affected. 

Section 13. MODES OF SERVICE. Service of pleadings, motions, orders, judgments and other papers shall be made either personally or by mail.

Mr. President, may I be allowed to leave the podium momentarily to personally serve the promulgated order of the Committee dated April 15, 2009 on Senator Manuel B. Villar, Jr. or his duly authorized representative.

I now defer to the collective wisdom of this august body in determining whether a member or members of this chamber committed improper conduct with the leak of the said order to the media.

I so move, Mr. President.

*****

Lacson Bill Exempts Local Water Districts from Tax

Instead of paying millions of pesos a year in income taxes, local water districts (LWDs) may soon be allowed to use the amount to improve their services.

On this note, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson filed Senate Bill 3152 seeking to exempt LWDs from paying such taxes so they can ensure clean water supply and effective wastewater disposal.

"As early as 1973, the government recognized the need for reliable and economically viable and sound water supply and wastewater disposal system for population centers of the Philippines," Lacson noted in his bill.

Lacson's bill seeks to amend Section 27 of the National Internal Revenue Code and make it consistent with the spirit of Presidential Decree No. 198, which institutionalized the LWDs.

PD 198 had exempted LWDs from paying income taxes as well as from the payment of all National Government, local government and municipal taxes and fees, and all duties or imposts on imported machinery, equipment and materials required for the operations.

But Lacson noted that in the last 30-plus years, several laws were enacted either granting or withdrawing the tax exemption privileges of LWDs. Worse, he said the Tax Code caused confusion about whether LWDs should pay taxes as their status was open to various interpretations by government agencies and judicial bodies.

"Even more disconcerting is the fact that other public utilities of similar nature such as the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and National Power Corp. (NPC) were granted tax exemptions by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) hinging upon the same Tax Code provisions," he noted.

Such inconsistencies have slowed the viable growth and efficient provision of safe, adequate and potable water to more than 15 million people outside Metro Manila, Lacson lamented. "In order to address the inconsistencies, this proposed bill is recommended as a counterpart measure of HB No. 5210 approved by the House of Representatives," he said.

The bill includes LWDs in the list of government-owned or controlled corporations or agencies exempted from paying income tax. The Secretary of Finance shall promulgate and publish the necessary rules and regulations for the measure.

o0o

Truth and Courage

(Speech delivered by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson April 18, 2009, at the Commencement Exercises of the Lyceum of the Philippines University, Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City)

Four decades ago in 1964 I enrolled and studied in the Lyceum of the Philippines.  That’s how we called the university at the time.  Straight from high school I wanted to become a lawyer so I could apply as an NBI agent because law enforcement has always been my passion.

In 1967 when I was in my third year, a high school friend who was studying then in Mapua Institute of Technology, requested me to accompany him to take the entrance examination in the Philippine Military Academy. He failed and I passed. The rest, as they say, is history.

Were I to present myself, it would be as a country bumpkin born and raised in a little known town in Cavite.   

In my work as a representative of the people, I have gone around the countryside many times and talked to a great number of people of different social, political and economic backgrounds – none of the blessings that I and my seven siblings are enjoying now are possible if not for a dream.

Minsan, nangarap ang dalawang magulang na mapag-aral ang kanilang mga anak.

Dahil sa isang munting pangarap, at sa tulong ng pagsisikap at pagdarasal ng aming mga magulang ay nakapag-aral kaming walong magkakapatid. Ang bukang bibig ng aking mga magulang ay ito – “May awa ang Diyos mga anak, makaraos din tayo.” Sukdulang hindi kami kumain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw, makatapos lang kayong lahat sa inyong pag-aaral. Hindi lamang kami nakaraos, nguni’t lumaki pa nang maayos.

But such were the good old days of my youth when the government served as the great social equalizer.

Maayos ang mga paaralan, malusog na mga mamamayan – these were the realities during those good, old days.

It was a reality for millions of people like me who grew up in the shadows of World War II.

Noong araw, walang Internet, walang cell phone,

Pero kahit simple ang buhay, ang pamahalaan ay nakaagapay sa mga mamamayan, lalo na sa mga mahihirap. Wala kaming pangamba sa aming kaligtasan kahit disoras ng gabi. Nag-iisa lang ang pulis sa aming barangay pero siya ay tinitingala at iginagalang at higit sa lahat pinagkakatiwalaan ng mga mamamayan.

When public officials govern above self-interest, basic services like health, education, peace and order can be taken for granted even by the lowest in society, the poor are assured of the basic tools needed to improve their own lives, not by dole-outs, but by equal opportunity to all. Sa madaling sabi, noong araw, patas ang laban ng mga mahihirap sa mga mamamayan, ng mga maliliit sa mga makapangyarihan. Kaya ang isang tulad kong anak-mahirap, nagkaroon ng pagkakataong umasenso at umangat, kahit sino, basta’t may angking talino at marunong magsikap upang umunlad.

This is what I want to illustrate as social justice. The same social justice that our democratic institution is founded on and what we elect our officials for.

Over time, this dedication to public service has all but disappeared in government.

Unlike during those times, what we now see is a government that is not transparent, that is insensitive to the needs of the people, a government that does not deliver the necessary social services to our people, and worse, a government that steals and a government that abuses. 

Almost every month, we have grown used to the reported instances of corruption, both large and small scale.

Kagaya ng fertilizer scam na isa lamang sa maraming anomalyang inimbestigahan namin sa Senado kamakailan lamang.

Out of the total project cost of P728 million in government funds, less than a hundred million went to the true beneficiaries, our farmers, while at least P645 million went to the greedy pockets of a few.

Tuwing ako ay tinatanong kung ano ang pinakamalaking problema ng ating Inang Bayan, ang aking tuwirang sagot ay maikli at simple lang: korapsyon sa gobyerno, korapsyon ng mga namumuno ang siyang kumikitil sa ating mga mamamayan.

Dahil sa walang habas na kurakot, nawalan na ng saysay ang Patas na Laban, Para sa Lahat na dapat ay karapatan lalo na ng mga kapos-palad.

Bakit nga ba sa ibang bansa, kapag may nagkasakit sa kanilang pamilya, gobyerno na ang sumasagot sa lahat ng gastusin sa pagpapagamot sa mga ospital?

Bakit sa ibang bansa, ang kanilang mga mamamayan ay pinag-aaral ng libre ng kanilang gobyerno, hindi kailangang matigil sa pag-aaral dahil sa hindi makayanang gastos sa pangmatrikula at libro?

Dito sa atin, kapag nagkasakit ka at ikaw ay mahirap, malamang mamamatay kang hindi man lamang makakita ng duktor o makatikim ng gamot. At kung ikaw naman ay may kaunting naipon, siguradong ubos ang naipon mo at malamang mababaon ka pa sa utang.

Dito sa atin, kahit nakasaad sa ating Konstitusyon na libre ang pampublikong edukasyon, ito ay hindi nadarama ng mga mahihirap kaya maraming lumalaking mangmang dahil hindi mairaos ang pag-aaral.

In school, we are taught about truth and consequences.

We know that if we don’t study, tiyak bagsak tayo sa mga pagsusulit. Inversely, if we perform well, we are justly rewarded.

Yan sana ang dapat mangyari sa totoong buhay – kung hindi mo kayang gampanan ang iyong tungkulin bilang isang elective o appointive official, dapat ka lamang paalisin o di kaya’y huwag nang iboto sa susunod na halalan.

Pero hanggang patuloy na nakapikit ang mga mata ng nakararami sa nangyayaring katiwalian sa ating bansa at patuloy nating iboboto ang mga tiwali sa pamahalaan, wala akong nakikitang pag-asa sa ating bayan at patuloy pa tayong maghihirap.

Through hardships and under constant threat of political ostracism and black propaganda, I expose the excesses and abuses of our leaders, no matter how high and mighty they are.

Throughout all of these, I stand proud and I won’t be threatened or intimidated.

Dahil kahit anong hirap ng aking mga magulang para itaguyod ang pag-aaral naming walong magkakapatid, ni minsan hindi sila nanlamang o nagnakaw sa kapwa.

There are a few things that money can’t buy – integrity and a clear conscience.

And I will continue to honor my parents’ sacrifices by living with their example. I will always adhere to the principle that they taught us to live by – “What is right must be kept right; what is wrong must be set right.” Ang tama ay ipaglaban, ang mali ay labanan.

As concerned citizens of this country, bilang mamamayang may malasakit sa ating bansa, lalong lalo na sa mga mahihirap, there are three things we simply cannot do: be victims, abusers or bystanders. 

This is the time that we show people in the government that it is us who put them in office and we could easily take their power away once they stop representing the will of the people.

You know, I do not wish to detract from the importance of this moment.

As graduates, you deserve the accolades of your fellow classmates, teachers and guests that are gathered here today. 

Palakpakan po rin natin ang mga magulang na minsan nangarap at nagsilbing gabay sa ating pag-aaral. Kung tutuusin hindi biro ang magpaaral, then and most especially now, and we must salute our parents.

But let us not forget those who cannot be here with us today.

Iyong karamihan sa ating mga kabataang napilitang huminto sa pag-aaral dahil salat sa yaman at ngayo’y nagiging biktima ng ganid ng iilan sa ating pamahalaan. These people will never experience what all of you are experiencing right now, a fair play at life’s opportunities.

A diploma is more than just a passport to success; rather, it is an instrument that we can use to do good; to build a better world not only for ourselves but for those less privileged.

I believe there is only one accident in this world, and that is the accident of being born rich or poor. 

Everything else in life is a conscious choice.

Naniniwala ako sa angking kagalingan ng mga taong nasa pagtitipon natin ngayon. Nguni’t nawawalang saysay ang kagalingang ito kung hindi naibabahagi upang magbigay saysay sa buhay ng ibang tao.

Today marks your entry into adulthood and with that the responsibility to make choices that will have a profound effect on others.

I would like to break tradition and close this speech not by offering any advice but a plea – help.

Help fight against corruption.

Help build this country.

But most especially, choose to help by electing better leaders.

Thank you very much and Godspeed!

*****

Our Responsibility, Our Destiny

(Speech delivered by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson April 3, 2009, at the First Graduation Ceremony of the Teodoro M. Luansing College of Rosario, Batangas)

Marami pong salamat sa kinakatawan ng Teodoro M. Luansing College of Rosario para sa paanyaya.

Lagi kong tinatanggap ang pagkakataong bumalik sa Batangas dahil buo ang aking paniniwalang iilan na lang ito sa mga lalawigang kilala sa kanyang paninindigan laban sa mga mapagsamantala sa ating karapatang mamuhay na may dignidad at patas na laban.

In my work as a representative of the people, I have gone around our country many times and talked to a great number of people from all walks of life – none of the blessings and privileges that I have enjoyed over the years would have been possible if not for a simple dream. 

Dahil sa isang munting pangarap ay nakapag-aral kaming walong magkakapatid. Hindi lamang kami nakaraos, nguni’t lumaki pa ng maayos. 

But such were the good old days of my youth when the government served as the great social equalizer. 

Maayos ang mga paaralan, malusog na mamamayan – these were the realities for millions of people like me who grew up in the shadows of World War II. 

Noong araw, walang Internet, walang cell phone. 

Pero kahit simple ang buhay, ang pamahalaan ay nakaagapay sa mga mamamayan, lalo na sa mga mahihirap. Wala kaming pangamba sa aming kaligtasan kahit disoras ng gabi. Nag-iisa lang ang pulis sa aming barangay pero siya ay tinitingala at iginagalang at higit sa lahat pinagkakatiwalaan ng mga mamamayan. 

This is what I want to illustrate as social justice. The same social justice that our democratic institution is founded on and what we elect our officials to do. 

Kaya ang isang tulad kong anak-mahirap, nagkaroon ng pagkakataong umasenso at umangat, kahit sino, basta’t may angking talino at marunong magsikap upang umunlad. 

Sa madaling sabi, noong araw, patas ang laban ng mga mamamayan, patas ang laban ng mga mahihirap sa mga mamamayan sa ilalim ng pangangalaga ng pamahalaan. 

Over time, this dedication to public service has all but disappeared in government. 

Almost every other month, we have grown used to the reported instances of government corruption, both large- and small-scale. 

Kagaya ng fertilizer scam na isa lamang sa maraming anumalyang inimbestigahan namin sa Senado kamakailan lang. 

Out of the total project cost of P728 million in government funds, less than a hundred million went to the true beneficiaries, our farmers, while P645 million went to the greedy pockets of a few. 

I think some have been particularly affected by this corruption since Rosario’s main lifeblood is in agriculture.  

Tuwing ako ay tinatanong kung ano ang pinakamalaking problema ng ating Inang Bayan, ang aking tuwirang sagot ay maikli at simple lang: korapsyon sa gobyerno at ng mga namumuno ang siyang kumikitil sa ating mga mamamayan. 

Dahil sa walang habas na kurakot, nawalan na ng saysay ang Patas na Laban Para sa Lahat, na dapat ay karapatan lalo na ng mga kapos-palad. 

Bakit sa ibang bansa, ang kanilang mga mamamayan ay napag-aaral ng libre ng kanilang gobyerno, hindi kailangang matigil sa pag-aaral dahil sa hindi makayanang gastos sa pangmatrikula at libro? 

Dito sa atin, kapag nagkasakit ka at ikaw ay mahirap, malamang mamamatay kang hindi man lamang nakakita ng doktor o nalapatan ng tamang gamot. At kung ikaw naman ay may kaunting naipon, siguradong ubos ito at mababaon ka pa sa utang. 

Dito sa atin, kahit nakasaad sa ating Konstitusyon na libre ang pampublikong edukasyon, ito ay hindi nadarama ng mga mahihirap kaya maraming lumalaking mangmang dahil hindi maidaos ang pag-aaral. 

In school, we are taught about truth and consequences. 

We know that if we don’t study, tiyak bagsak tayo sa mga pagsusulit. Inversely, if we perform well, we are justly rewarded. 

Yan sana ang dapat mangyari sa totoong buhay – kung hindi mo kayang gampanan ang iyong tungkulin bilang elected official, dapat kang ipatalsik o di kaya’y huwag ng iboto sa susunod na halalan. 

Pero hanggang patuloy na nakapikit ang mga mata ng nakararami sa nangyayaring katiwalian sa ating bansa at patuloy nating iboboto ang mga tiwali sa pamahalaan, wala akong nakikitang pag-asa sa ating bayan at patuloy pa tayong maghihirap. 

Alam niyo naman ang mga pinupukol na pangbabatikos sa akin dahil sa patuloy nating ginagawang exposés sa Senado. Nguni’t, pinapangako kong hindi nila tayo matatalo o matatakot gaano man kataas o katayog ang kanilang posisyon sa gobyerno. 

Dahil kahit anong hirap na dinaanan ng aking mga magulang para itaguyod ang pag-aaral naming walong magkakapatid, ni minsan hindi sila nanlamang o nagnakaw sa kapwa. 

And I will continue to honor my parents’ sacrifices and memory by living with their example. I will always adhere to the principle that they taught us to live by – “What is right must be kept right; what is wrong must be set right.” 

You know, I do not wish to detract from the importance of this moment. 

As graduates, you deserve the accolades of your fellow classmates, teachers and guests that are gathered here today.  

Palakpakan po rin natin ang mga magulang na minsan nangarap at nagsilbing gabay sa ating pag-aaral. Kung tutuusin, hindi biro ang magpaaral, then and most especially now, and we salute them.

But let us not forget those who cannot be here with us today. 

Iyong karamihan sa ating mga kabataang napilitang huminto sa pag-aaral dahil salat sa yaman at ngayo’y nagiging biktima ng ganid ng iilan sa ating pamahalaan. Unlike you, these people will never experience what all of you are experiencing right now, a fair play at life’s opportunities. 

Therefore, your diplomas are more than just passports to success; rather, they are an instrument that we can use to do good; to build a better world not only for ourselves but for those less privileged. 

I wish to come back to tradition and end this speech with an advice – whatever you will become in the next five to ten years, please find the time to make this country great again.

Let us start by electing better leaders for our future. 

Thank you very much and Godspeed!

*****

Speech at the Commencement Exercises of Wesleyan University

(Delivered by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson at Wesleyan University, Cabanatuan City, April 8, 2009)

All of us may have come from different backgrounds, but I believe we were brought together by a dream. The Wesleyan University Philippines came about because of a dream to build people and make a difference.

Having been elevated to autonomous status just a week ago from being the only educational institution in the province of Nueva Ecija that used to enjoy a deregulated status granted by the Commission on Higher Education makes that dream even more meaningful.

I, on the other hand, was brought here because of a much simpler but nevertheless important dream.

Minsan may munting pangarap ang dalawang mag-asawang makapagtapos ang kanilang walong anak. I was born to poor parents. Lacking anything of substance to pass on to their eight children, they were fanatical in ensuring we all finish our studies.

Tanging pagpapawis at pagbabanat ng buto at higit sa lahat, taimtim na panalangin sa Diyos ang naging patnubay ng aking mga mahal na ama at ina. Mabuti na lamang at sa mga panahon na iyon, ang pamahalaan ay nakaagapay sa mga mamamayan, mayaman o mahirap, maliit o makapangyarihan. Maayos na mga paaralan, malusog na mga mamamayan, hindi ito mga bukambibig lamang pagdating ng halalan.

It was a reality for millions of people in my generation. Noong araw ng aking kabataan, patas ang laban para sa lahat.

Ngayon, hindi na patas ang laban. Kapag ikaw ay mahirap, halos walang maaasahang tulong sa pamahalaan upang magbigay ng kahit na mga payak na serbisyong pampubliko tulad ng pangedukasyon at pangkalusugan man lamang.

Bakit nga ba sa ibang bansa, tulad ng Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore at marami pang iba, libre ang pampublikong pag-aaral at iba pang gastusin ng kanilang mga mamamayan?

Bakit kayang tustusan ng kanilang pamahalaan ang pagpapagamot ng kanilang mga mamamayan?

Dito sa ating bayan, kapag ikaw ay mahirap at nagkasakit, malamang ilang araw lamang, ikaw ay mamamatay. At kapag ikaw ay may kaunting naipon, malamang ubos ang iyong inipon at mabaon ka pa sa utang.

Whenever I’m asked about the country’s top problems, I always single out corruption.

Take for example the fertilizer scam that was a subject of a Senate investigation.

Out of a total project cost of P728 million in government funds, at least P645 million went to the greedy pockets of a few while only less than a hundred million actually went to benefit our farmers.

As a son of a jeepney driver, you can understand both my frustrations and anger towards these corrupt officials.

Nakapanghihinayang na ang halagang tulad ng nabanggit ko sa fertilizer scam na nilustay ng iilang matatakaw na mga pinuno at makapangyarihan sa pamahalaan ay nasasayang lamang habang dumadami ang bilang ng mga batang paslit na pilit pinagkakasya na parang sardinas sa mga sira-sirang mga paaralan at mga dukhang pamilyang kapag nagkasakit ay hindi man lang nakakatikim ng gamot at hindi nakakakita ng doktor sa ating pampublikong ospital.

Ang fertilizer scam ay isa lamang sa halos hindi na mabilang na katiwalian sa gobyerno na siyang lumilikha ng mga problema ng bansa at mga mamamayan dahil sa mga mapagsamantala at walang mga konsensiya sa ating pamahalaan.

Whenever I’m asked about the country’s top problems, I am also asked about the perfect solution. I believe it starts when they became aware of our innate responsibilities as citizens of this country.

My dear graduates, today marks your entry into adulthood and with it, the responsibilities to change the course of our history. It begins with getting involved in ridding our country of corrupt leaders. It begins by being agents of change in our own little and humble way. It begins with our sense of sheer responsibility to inform our relatives and neighbors, our friends and our acquaintances, even people we don’t even know but are victims of corruptions in our midst, nonetheless, that we are all being robbed by leaders that we ourselves elected to serve our interests as citizens of our country.

To me, this is the most basic and simplest solution. Pero hanggang patuloy na nakapikit ang ating mga mata at ang mata ng nakakarami at patuloy tayong nagiging bingi sa mga nangyayaring katiwalian sa ating bansa at patuloy nating iboboto ang mga tiwali sa pamahalaan, wala akong nakikitang pag-unlad para sa ating lahat.

And perhaps, we really do deserve this government and our corrupt leaders. Through hardships and under constant threats of political ostracism and black propaganda, I have consistently exposed scams and abuses perpetrated by our so-called leaders.

I suppose most of you are aware of the latest vilification campaign that serves to discredit my legitimate fight to preserve the public’s right for proper health care, quality education and most specially equal opportunities.

But I am not new to this kind of assault to my integrity as an elected leader genuinely belonging to the opposition in this benighted country.

I wish to assure you that I will not be intimidated or silenced. Hangga’t sa abot ng aking makakaya, lalabanan ko ang katiwalian, patuloy akong gagawa ng mga exposes, but I am only one voice.

Therefore, if you can join me in exposing corruption, it will go a long way in cleaning up our bureaucracy. There is only one accident in this world, and that is the accident of being born rich or poor. Everything else in life is a conscious choice.

My poor parents chose as an obsession to make all their brood of eight finish school and become professionals. At pinili naming walong magkakapatid na pahalagahan ang paghihirap ng aming mga magulang, mga dukha nguni’t mararangal, na magsikap sa aming pag-aaral upang hindi na muling balikan ang kahirapang nakamulatan naming lahat sa aming paglaki sa aming munting bayan sa Imus, Cavite.

But most importantly, I chose to adhere to a simple yet noble principle that my poor parents taught me as I was growing old: What is right must be kept right, what is wrong must be set right. Ang tama ay ipaglaban, ang mali ay labanan.

At ang aral na ito ng aking mga magulang ang siyang magiging patnubay ko at aking dadalhin hanggang sa huling hantungan.

But don’t ever forget the sacrifices of your own parents. Without them, most if not all of you will not make it here on your graduation day. Palakpakan po natin sila at bigyang pugay bilang ganti sa kanilang mga sakripisyo na nagbunga sa napakahalagang araw na ito ng inyong pagtatapos.

Whether you will use your talent to do good or to do harm, it will ultimately be up to you.

Ladies and gentlemen, I assure that it will be a struggle to become the best person that you want to be. It will be harder than you want, it will be longer than you, and it will take more out of you than to expect that it should. But it will be worth it, to be able to stand proud knowing you are in the service of country, our fellowmen and God.

My dear graduates, when you leave the portals of this institution, your beloved Alma Mater, do not forget why you came here in the first place.

I hope today will mark the beginning of a long line of opportunities to be the change you want to see in this country and this world.

Thank you very much! Good luck and Godspeed!

*****

Sen. Lacson's Lenten Message

Lent is the time when Christians remember how Christ suffered and died for our sins so that we may live fully. It is also the time when we are called to reflect on our lives; in the hope that we may realize our faults, repent with all our hearts, and try to live better lives, as we anticipate the glory of Easter.

My Lenten message for Gloria Arroyo is simple but sincere.  May the true meaning of Lent finally fill her heart, mind and soul. 

May she realize her faults. May she repent with all her heart. So that the Filipino people may live better lives.

My message to our people is for them not to lose hope.  Pray for wisdom in choosing their leaders and pray for courage so that we may overcome the hardships, finally unite and bring change to this country 

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Lacson Lauds LGUs' Commitment to Enforce Anti-Red Tape Law

Senator Panfilo M. Lacson today lauded the move of more than 1,000 local government units to expedite their compliance to the requirements of the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.

“As the author and sponsor of this measure, Republic Act 9485, I personally commend the people who are behind efforts to see through the implementation of this law and finally reap its benefits for the common folk who transact business with government,” Lacson said.

In crafting the legislation, Lacson precisely intended to ease up and accelerate government transactions in agencies at the local government level such as securing permits and clearances; and tighten the noose on grafters and corrupt members of the bureaucracy.

“It was my advocacy then when we crafted the bill, and still my advocacy now – to make government more efficient and trustworthy by eliminating graft and corrupt practices in the system,” Lacson said while citing the relevant contributions of former Civil Service Commission chair Karina David, under whose stewardship the bill materialized.

Some 1,600 local government units and agencies with frontline services made a commitment this week to finish its “citizen’s charter,” a covenant of service standards between local governments and their clients before the June 2009 deadline.

Spearheaded by the Civil Service Commission, the manual of more than 300 pages describes the step-by-step procedures and the number of hours or minutes in which a resident should be able to get permits and or assistance for regulatory, basic, administrative and support services.

It also contains, among other things, a directory of local and regional government agencies.

Under RA 9485, simple transactions should be resolved within five working days and ten working days for complex transactions. Any violations of the charter would make local governments or employees liable for criminal and administrative charges with penalties of up to six years in prison or P200,000 in fine. They could also be dismissed and disqualified from public service.

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