NextGen Day

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, an independent presidential contender, gave thanks to Jagna, Bohol Mayor Joseph Ranola on Tuesday for teaching him everything he knows about assessing the country’s national budget.

“Everything I know was taught to me by one guy. The Filipino people owe it to him na may Sen. Lacson sa Senado na nagtitiyaga at nagkakalkal ng budget. Senator Lacson is responsible for the existence of a Senator Lacson who scrutinizes the national budget), and Filipinos owe him a debt of gratitude “Lacson said this on the sidelines of a meeting with members of the province’s sectoral organizations.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, as well as senatorial candidates Minguita Padilla and Emmanuel Piol, were also present for Lacson’s vice presidential bid.

Ranola, then a private citizen, helped Lacson grasp the necessity of making the budget work for Filipinos, said Lacson, who is known for his close analysis of the country’s national expenditure program.

Lacson said he experienced a learning curve when he initially earned his Senate position in 2001 since he was still used to his work as a law enforcement officer who spent sleepless hours handling kidnap-for-ransom cases, robberies, and other crimes.

Lacson’s fight for giving local government units a fair share of the budget so they can undertake their local development initiatives was also aided by Ranola’s advice.

Despite the contents of the budget bill being inches thick and in tiny 10-point font, Lacson and his staff would spend evenings combing over it and ridding it of questionable insertions during his 18 years as a senator.

“Mahirap pag-aralan pero sa turo niya, pinagtiyagaan at pinag-aralan… and nakabisado ko na rin,” he remarked.

“We saved taxpayers at least PHP300 billion because of the inspection,” Lacson remarked.

The Lacson-Sotto team is taking their message of good government directly to the people in order to combat “survey politics,” especially because they have an average of 40% “soft votes,” meaning voters are considering them but are hesitant because they are not leading in polls.

Instead of falling into the survey or bandwagon mentality, the Lacson-Sotto team advised Filipinos to learn to make their own decisions, lest they waste their ballots by voting for someone who is the most competent, qualified, experienced, and has the highest level of integrity in public service.

Meanwhile, Sotto, who hails from the adjacent province of Cebu, expects a warm greeting from Boholanos.

“We’re going to hit two birds with one stone.” First, meet with sectoral representatives from Bohol and learn how they are doing, as well as government authorities, in light of the situation you have experienced. I was here during the earthquake and occasionally since then. We want to make sure that if the Senate can be of any assistance to you, please let us know,” Sotto said.

“Senator Lacson and I have been consistent in our efforts to assist LGUs, particularly when it comes to the budget and, if we make it, our ideas for the incoming administration.” As a neighbor of Cebu, Bohol has always given me a great vote record. Thank you very good, daghang salamat,” he added.

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