In his bid to return to the Senate, former Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson urged Filipinos to vote for candidates who can contribute to the country, and not those who will only cause disruption or provide entertainment in the Senate.
"Simple lang ang mensahe ko, labin-dalawa naman ang pagpipilian, pumili naman tayo ng talagang makakatulong hindi ‘yung panggulo at hindi ‘yung magpapatawa lamang sa Senado," Lacson said during the Bakit Ikaw: The DZRH Job Interview on Thursday.
"Hindi lang ito para sa sarili ko kundi para sa bayan na rin natin. Labin-dalawang matitino at makakatulong ang ating piliin po," he added.
Having served in the Senate for 18 years, Lacson eyes to advocate for reforms in a number of areas related to the present issues the nation is facing.
'Bakit Ikaw?'
Lacson proudly reiterated his commitment to honesty and emphasized his diligent oversight of public funds, citing his annual dedication to scrutinizing the national budget.
During his tenure, he stated that he rigorously oversaw the national budget to ensure its proper use, unlike others with vested interests.
Additionally, the former senator was one of the officials who refused to accept the "pork barrel."
The pork barrel, or Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), is a lump-sum discretionary fund allocated to each member of Congress for use on priority development projects, primarily at the national level.
It was during the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III that the pork barrel was declared unconstitutional after being involved in major controversies regarding its misuse.
Lacson then stated, "ang tanong ay 'bakit ikaw?' Bakit naman hindi? Maayos naman ‘yung aking paglilingkod sa bayan."
On the issue of intelligence funds
The senatorial aspirant pointed out that it is highly questionable and could be considered a lapse to grant intelligence funds to government agencies with no training or experience in information gathering.
He added that intelligence funds should be granted only to intelligence agencies and must be firmly established as such.
Moreover, agencies that require intelligence information should rely solely on the intelligence agencies.
In the fight against illegal drugs
Lacson stressed the need for a "back to basics" approach in tackling illegal drugs, supported by a holistic strategy, such as the two-pronged approach implemented before.
The two-pronged strategy he refers to includes demand reduction and supply reduction.
"I-constrict niyo ‘yung merkado, how? ‘Yun nga intelligence information, intelligence operations tapos actual enforcement," said Lacson.
"Pag sinabi mo namang demand reduction, ‘yun naman ‘yung sa mga street users, pushers. So dapat mayroon ding prevention at tyaka rehabilitation. ‘Yun naman ay medyo nakaligtaan ng nakaraang administration kasi naka-focus talaga sa enforcement," he added.
Distribution of "ayuda" by Lawmakers
Lacson firmly stated that the role of lawmakers is strictly an oversight function, not the direct distribution of aid to the public.
He then stated that the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is sufficient as financial aid and should simply be enhanced and expanded, rather than having 18 different types of assistance that is said to be included in the 2025 budget.
Furthermore, he stated that the 4Ps program was thoroughly studied and is covered by law, unlike the current aid programs, which, he claimed, lack clear guidelines, making them vulnerable to abuse.
"Yung 4Ps may database tapos timebound siya. Pagdating ng pitong taon, ggraduate ‘yung pamilya tapos papalitan ng iba," he added.
Concerns of drivers and operators on jeepney modernization
Lacson emphasized that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) must carefully study how to strike a balance on this issue.
He further mentioned that when culture is changed, many will object and oppose it because it is something new.
"Naidulog na sa akin ‘yan ng kanilang grupo noong Senador pa ako at sinabi ko ‘mukhang may katwiran sila,’ at tyaka napakamahal P2.7-M so saan sila kukuha non?" said Lacson.
"Dapat pag-aralang mabuti. Huwag nating parang ibagsak ng ganon na lang nang kulang sa consultation. May katwiran ang kanilang hinaing," he added.
Another issue with the modernization initiative, he said, is importation, citing the country’s trade deficit of $57.4 billion.
He pointed out that the country's reliance on imports contradicts efforts toward self-sufficiency, emphasizing that it only strengthens other nations' economies.
A former senator from 2001 to 2013 and 2016 to 2022, Lacson also served as the Philippine National Police Chief and headed the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force.
