Latest news with #Lacson
Filipino Times
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
New Senators Question Delay in Duterte Impeachment Trial Start
Several newly elected senators have voiced concern over the proposed August 4 reconvening of the Senate impeachment court, viewing it as another delay in the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Senator Joel Villanueva shared that Senate President Chiz Escudero discussed the timeline with fellow senators, citing the need to finalize Senate leadership after the July 28 opening of Congress. Senators Kiko Pangilinan, Ping Lacson, and Tito Sotto called for an earlier trial start, citing the Constitution's directive to proceed without delay. Pangilinan stressed the need for clarity, while Lacson emphasized the importance of a plenary vote and open deliberation. Sotto noted that the process has already faced considerable delays. In contrast, Senator Bam Aquino expressed support for the August 4 start, vowing to uphold the Constitution and scrutinize all evidence presented. All four senators—Pangilinan, Lacson, Sotto, and Aquino—are newly elected and have yet to take their oaths as senator-judges. While Pangilinan and Aquino are aligned with Escudero's majority bloc, Lacson and Sotto belong to the emerging 'veterans bloc' that may lead the minority. Vice President Duterte was impeached in February over fund misuse allegations and threats against the Marcos family. The trial's timeline remains a point of contention, with Duterte's petition to halt the proceedings still pending before the Supreme Court.
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Senate bill seeks to penalize children who abandon elderly parents
Senator Ping Lacson has refiled a measure seeking to penalize children who fail to provide necessary support for their aging, sick, and incapacitated parents. In the explanatory note of Senate Bill No. 396 or the proposed "Parents Welfare Act of 2025," Lacson stressed that taking care of the elderly members of society is a shared responsibility of the children and the government. 'This proposed bill therefore seeks to further strengthen filial responsibility and to make it a criminal offense in case of flagrant violation thereof. Abandonment of a parent in need of support shall likewise constitute a criminal act,' the returning senator said. Under the proposed measure, parents in need of support who are unable to maintain themselves from their own earning or out of the property they owned, or who are incapacitated or incapable of supporting themselves, shall be given support by their children. If the parent concerned has several children, the support to be given shall be divided among them in proportion to their resources or financial capacity and in such manner as may be just and equitable. Grandchildren shall also be liable to support their ascendants if their parents cannot fulfill their duty to support due to death, illness or if they are unable to fully take care of themselves due to physical or mental disability or condition. The children shall have the option to fulfill the obligation either by paying the support fixed by a 'support order' or by receiving and maintaining in the family house of the parent concerned. Such a petition for support may be filed in the regional trial court with territorial jurisdiction over the place of residence of the petitioner. The legal representation of the parent in need of support will be provided by the Public Attorney's Office and no court fees will be assessed. Before hearing the petition, the court shall also refer the parties to a conciliation officer for mediation to preserve the family unity and peace. If the children so ordered fail to comply with the support order without sufficient cause or reason, the court may issue a warrant for levying the amount due for every breach of order. If the respondent fails to give support for three consecutive months without justifiable cause, the respondent shall face imprisonment of one to six months or a fine of P100,000. Whoever has the care or protection of a parent in need of support and abandons such parent will also face six to 10 years in jail and a fine of P300,000. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
03-07-2025
- Health
- Filipino Times
Lacson files bill to ban minors from social media
Senator Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson has filed a bill seeking to regulate the use of social media by minors in the Philippines, citing increasing concerns over its impact on children's mental health and exposure to online risks. The proposed legislation aims to prohibit individuals under 18 years of age from using or accessing social media accounts. It also mandates social media platforms to implement stringent user verification processes, such as ID authentication and facial recognition and to conduct regular audits to detect and remove underage users. The measure cites a United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) study highlighting the vulnerability of minors to cyberbullying, online harassment, and body image pressures exacerbated by digital platforms. 'Taking inspiration from this model, and in adherence to our State's declared policy of promoting and protecting the mental and emotional well-being of its children, this bill is being proposed to protect Filipino children below 18 years old from online risks and harmful content,' Lacson said. Under the bill, social media companies and internet service providers that fail to comply with the regulations may face penalties in accordance with the Data Privacy Act and other applicable administrative, civil, or criminal sanctions.
GMA Network
01-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
More senators file priority bills in 20th Congress
More senators on Tuesday filed their priority legislative measures for the incoming 20th Congress. Topping the 10 priority bills of returning Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson was the proposed legislation expanding the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). He also filed bills that seek to prohibit the establishment of political dynasties; regulate the use of social media platforms by minors; and prescribe the order of succession in case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the president. Lacson, a former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), also filed a measure defining and penalizing espionage and other similar offenses against national security. Meanwhile, Senator Pia Cayetano's first 10 bills focused on health, education, gender equality, sports, and sustainable communities. These include the proposed Vapes and Heated Tobacco Products Regulation Act, Walkable and Bikeable Communities Act, Ban on Online Gambling Act, Artificial Intelligence Regulation Act, and a measure strengthening Tertiary Education Subsidy. Senator Lito Lapid, for his part, submitted a proposed News Media Welfare Act, Free Access to Government Websites Act, and Rights of Internally Displaced Persons Act, among others. Neophyte senator Camille Villar also filed her priority bills, which included a proposed act to establish a cancer medicine and treatment assistance fund for indigent and underprivileged Filipinos. Also among Villar's pet measures were bills providing for protection of the remittances of overseas Filipino workers; and the enhancement of workers' protection and skills development in the course of job disruption due to artificial intelligence and technological advancements in the digital economy. Camille's brother, Senator Mark Villar, also filed his top 10 bills pushing for the passage of the Scam Prevention Center Act, Magna Carta of Commuters, Abducted or Missing Persons Alert Act, and Free Annual Medical Check-Up Act of 2025, among others. The 10 priority bills of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, for his part, included the Online Gambling Regulatory Framework Act, Three-Year College Education Act, General Tax Amnesty Act of 2025, and the Granting Increase in Take-Home Pay for All Working Filipinos Act. On Monday, other senators also filed their priority bills and resolutions for the 20th Congress. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
25-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
NFA seeks return of regulatory powers to help stabilize rice prices
The National Food Authority (NFA) is urging lawmakers to support a proposed bill that will restore its regulatory and market intervention functions—powers that agency officials say are critical to stabilizing rice prices, protecting farmers, and securing the nation's food supply. Speaking at the Bagong Pilipinas public briefing, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson emphasized that bringing back these powers will enable the agency to perform its original mandate of keeping rice prices within reach of both producers and consumers. "Napakahalaga na maibalik yung iba naming functions, lalo na ang market intervention functions," he said. (It's very important to restore some of our functions, especially market intervention functions.) "Ang intention naman is to tame the prices," he added. Under the current setup, Lacson explained, the NFA has limited ability to release rice from its stocks in a timely manner to offset price surges in the market. With market intervention restored, the agency would be able to act more decisively. "Kapag kami ay regular na nakakapaglabas ng aming stocks, mas lalong magiging fresh ang aming stocks dahil mare-replenish. At the same time, gaganda ang daloy ng financial capability namin," he said. (If we can regularly release our stocks, they'll stay fresh because they'll be replenished. At the same time, our financial capacity will improve.) Buying milled rice directly from farmers A major provision in the draft bill allows the NFA to buy not just palay, but also milled rice directly from farmers and cooperatives. "Hindi lamang palay ang pwede nating bilhin sa magsasaka kundi pati yung milled rice na bigas kung kinakailangan," Lacson stressed. (We can now buy not just palay from farmers, but also milled rice if necessary.) "Yung ating mga magsasaka ay mas lalong lalaki ang kita." (Our farmers will be able to earn more.) Lacson added that this setup would also enhance food security, as it allows the NFA to quickly acquire ready-to-distribute rice during supply shocks. Controlled importation to protect local harvest The draft bill also proposes limits on rice importation, especially during harvest season, to protect local farmers from price crashes caused by a sudden influx of imported rice. "Kukontrolin o hindi gagawin during harvest period, so that ang ating mga magsasaka ay hindi maapektohan ng pagbaba ng presyo ng kanilang pinaghirapang palay," he said. (It will be controlled or avoided during harvest, so that our farmers won't be affected by a drop in palay prices.) Setting floor price for palay, selling price for rice To further support farmers, the NFA will set a floor price for palay based on production costs computed by the Department of Agriculture. For consumers, the NFA will set a ceiling price for the rice it releases to the market, to prevent retailers from excessive markups. "Mayroon ding selling price na ise-set kami para sa mga retailers," he said. (We will also set a selling price for retailers.) "Hindi mapapagsamantalahan ang ating mga consumers," he added. (Our consumers will not be exploited.) Restoring regulatory teeth The bill also seeks to restore the NFA's regulatory powers, including licensing and registration of industry players. This would allow the agency to enforce rules and impose sanctions. "Makakaroon ng ngipin. May kapangyarihan ang NFA mag-sanction. Kapag napatunayan na lumalabag sa batas, puwedeng ipasara." (We'll have teeth. The NFA will have the power to sanction. If they are found to be breaking the law, they can be shut down.) Meanwhile, NFA also expressed its committed to expanding support for Filipino farmers grappling with low palay prices and scaling up the government's P20-rice program to reach 15 million households next year. Lacson assured the public that the NFA has sufficient rice reserves to sustain the ongoing P20-rice program, which has been rolled out through Kadiwa stores and local government partners. As of June, the NFA's buffer stock stands at 11.5 days—well above emergency thresholds—with ongoing palay procurement expected to push reserves even higher. 'Next year po, lahat ng target na 15 million households ay mararating natin,' Lacson said. (Next year, we will reach the target of 15 million households.) He also emphasized that the rice being distributed under the P20-rice program has passed strict quality checks, including moisture testing and laboratory inspection, to ensure that it remains safe and suitable for household consumption. — BM, GMA Integrated News
