Lacson aims to rebuild a ‘corruption-free’ government through budget reforms

 

Lacson aims to rebuild a ‘corruption-free’ government through budget reforms

GENERAL TRIAS CITY, Cavite—On his return to his home province for the second time in less than a month, Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Panfilo “Ping” Lacson hoped voters would be wise enough to elect an experienced leader who is prepared to fix the problems of our nation.

Lacson waxed nostalgic in his speech to local government officials and stakeholders from the public transport sector in General Trias City, Friday (December 3), remembering the simple joys of his youth and when the national budget and its deficit have not yet ballooned to trillions of pesos.

Like many Filipinos yearning for the good old days of the past, Lacson admitted that he, too, misses a relatively easy life spent with his friends, picking fallen mangoes from the trees of their neighbors or swimming in the riverbank of San Francisco de Malabon (old name of General Trias City).

“Nami-miss ko rin ‘yung mga araw na naglalangoy kami sa ilog… Naninirador ng ibon na nag-a-ano ng camachile sa tabing-daan. Ang sarap ng buhay ‘nung araw e. Napabayaan lahat ‘yan. Bakit? Kapabayaan ng gobyerno,” Lacson told Cavitenos gathered at the General Trias Sports Park.

(I also miss the times when we would swim in the river… Throwing slingshots at birds perched on the camachile tree by the roadside. Life was good back in the day. But it was forsaken. Why? Because of government neglect.)

On this note, Lacson and his running mate Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III zeroed in once again on their commitment to ‘lead by example’ should they be given the chance to hold the reins of the national government over the next six years.

The former national police chief and veteran lawmaker, who earned a reputation as a national budget watchdog in the Senate, vowed to institute a corruption-free government under his presidency through exhaustive fiscal reforms.

“Ma-solve lang natin ‘yung katiwalian, ‘yung korapsyon sa ating gobyerno, more than 50 percent of the problems of this country solved na. Pag-aralan ninyo. Ganoon talaga ‘yung reyalidad, ganoon talaga, mawala lang ‘yung katiwalian…” Lacson stressed.

(Once we solve our problem with corruption in government, more than 50 percent of the problems of this country will be solved. Study this issue. That is the reality, it is what it is, we just need to get rid of corruption…)

Lacson said he wanted to reconcile the national budget with our tax and revenue collections, which kept falling short over the years, leading to increased domestic and external debts. In 2022, the government plans to spend around P5.024-trillion against a projected deficit of P13.42-trillion.

He pitched his Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE) program as a holistic and viable solution to address intergovernmental fiscal policy gaps as well as the disconnect with regard to the implementation of key development projects for the benefit of citizens.

Lacson underscored he is determined to reform the national budget process and how it is being distributed because it is the “lifeblood” of our economy as well as every Filipino, who has been making significant contributions to public funds whether directly or indirectly.

“Alam niyo, ‘pag bumara ‘yung ating budget [na] sabi ko lifeblood, stroke ang aabutin ng ating bayan… E baon na nga tayo sa utang, pagkatapos hindi mo pa gagastusin nang maayos ‘yung utang, saan tayo pupulutin? Wala, sa kangkungan,” Lacson explained.

(You know, if our budget, which I said is the lifeblood [of our economy] gets clogged, our nation will suffer a stroke… We are already buried in debts, and if we don’t spend our borrowed money judiciously, where do you think we will end up? Nowhere, in the ditch.)

Should Filipino voters entrust them their ‘sacred votes’ in their final push for the top two highest elective positions in the country, Lacson said he and Sotto will never abuse their power but give it back to the people instead.

“Dapat ibalik natin ‘yung kapangyarihan sa taumbayan—panahon na. Ito, hindi dahil sa kampanya ngayon, ano. Kasi matagal ko na ring sinasabi ito. Hindi pa ako kumakandidato… So, I just hope na magising ‘yung ating mga kababayan,” the Partido Reporma standard-bearer stated.

(It’s about time we bring the power back to our people. I am not saying this just because we are campaigning. I have always said that long before I decided to file for the presidency… So, I hope that our countrymen will wake up.)

In their 42 years of combined legislative experience—83 in total in public service—Lacson said he and Sotto passed the ultimate tests of character as leaders when they both resisted bribery and abuse of authority while in office.