Bakit Ikaw: The Presidential Job Interview with Sen. Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson

Presidential aspirant Panfilo "Ping" Lacson on Friday, January 28, voiced his stance and plans on some of the country's most pressing issues on DZRH's Bakit Ikaw: The Presidential Job Interview.

Paneled by veteran broadcasters Deo Macalma, Angelo Palmoles, Gerry Baja, and Professor Tonton Contreras, Sen. Lacson gave his take on the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, the disputed West Philippine Sea, addressing corruption, pork barrel, and many more.

Here are some of the highlights of Sen. Lacson's Bakit Ikaw: The Presidential Job Interview:

On day one of his presidency: Lacson vows to waive bank secrecy rights
Setting the tone for a clean government, Sen. Lacson vowed to waive his rights under the Bank Secrecy Law and noted that he will encourage his fellow public servants to do the same.

"Yung first day in office, yung first official act pipirma po ako ng waiver of my rights under the bank secrecy act and encourage all cabinet secretaries, all bureau directors, at lahat ng dinatnan na at yung maa-appoint na pumirma rin," said Lacson, standard bearer of Partido Reporma.

(For the first day in office, the first official act will be to sign a waiver of my rights under the Bank Secrecy Act and encourage all cabinet secretaries, all bureau directors, and all those who are appointed to sign the waiver.)

Republic Act 1405, otherwise known as "An Act Prohibiting Disclosure of or Inquiry into, Deposits with any Banking Institution" or simply "Bank Secrecy Law", was enacted to encourage individuals to deposit their money in banks instead of hoarding them.

Massive internal cleansing during the first 100 days
Pushing for a corrupt-free bureaucracy, Sen. Lacson said that he would focus his first 100 days in office on "massive internal cleansing" of all government offices.

Lacson stressed that a majority of the country's problems are rooted in corruption, citing issues such as alleged anomalies in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and Pharmally.

According to Lacson, he personally submitted the result of their investigation conducted by the senate against the controversial interim reimbursement mechanism (IRM) of PhilHealth.

Lacson also noted that Pharmally should not be treated differently against the corruption allegations.

Leadership by example
When asked how he will run the country if elected president, Sen. Lacson assured that he will do away with the authoritarian route and will upheld "leadership by example".

"Simple lang ang aking style at lagi ko 'tong sinasabi, leadership by example," said Lacson. "Sa aking paniniwala hindi pwedeng ang sinasabi ng isang leader ay hindi niya pina-practice, ganun lang ka-simple. At ito'y ginawa ko sa loob ng napakahabang taon."

(My style is simple and I always say this, leadership by example. In my belief, it is not okay for a leader to not practice what he preaches, it's that simple. And I have done this for a very long time.)

Citing previous experience as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Lacson said the public will rally behind a respectable and trustworthy leader which he promises to be.

Incorporating Spain and UK's COVID-19 response
If elected president, Lacson said that he will incorporate the COVID-19 strategy of the United Kingdom (UK) and Spain. These countries have lifted mandates of mask use in indoor areas and have made the call to treat the coronavirus as an endemic disease.

Lacson added that COVID-19 response should be "pro-active" and can "stand the test of time". The senator also assured that his response will be science-based and data-driven.

"Kailangan pag-aralang mabuti kung kaya natin sundin. Pakiramdaman natin ang mangyayari sa Spain at London," he said.

(We need to study this carefully and see if we can follow in their footsteps. We feel keep watch of what is happening in Spain and London.)

Prioritizing the recovery of MSMEs to lift the economy
Following the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, Lacson said the he would prioritize the recovery of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) noting that they make up 99.5 percent of the country's industries.

"Darating ang punto na dapat tulungan nating ibangon ang MSME sa pamamagitan ng fiscal incentives, yung mga eviction, 'yung mga loans, kailangan tulungan sila nang sa ganun makahinga muna sila," he said.

(The point will come where we need to help MSMEs by fiscal incentives, eviction, loans. We need to help them in order to let them breathe.)

"May mga government financial institutions na pwedeng tumulong sa kanila rito para maiangat muli at makabawi at makapagsimula na. 'Yan ang uunahin natin," he added.

(There are government financial institutions that could help them recover, bounce back and start again. We will start with that.)

"Napakalaki ng kanilang bahagi at ibinabahagi sa kabuhayan ng bansa so sila dapat ang unang-una nating ibangon."

(They have a huge share and contribute a lot to the country's livelihoods so we need to prioritize their recovery first.)

Higher budget for research and development
Presidential aspirant Panfilo Lacson said that he plans to increase the budget of the research and development (R&D) sector to avoid further overseas importation.

"Taasan natin yung share ng R&D kasi ang napansin namin, sa aming pag-scrutinize sa budget, .4% lamang ang inilalaan ng national budget para sa R&D kaya tayo import nang import," said Lacson.

(Let us raise the share of R&D because we noticed when we scrutinized the budget, only .4% is allotted for the national budget for R&D and this is why we keep on importing.)

"0.4 lang yung inilalaan, bakit hindi natin iangat? Maski one percent lamang nang sa ganun ma-enhance," he added.

(0.4 is only allotted, so why not increase it? Even just one percent will do in order to enhance.)

Lacson also revealed that he would always favor the budget increase of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which reported complained about low budget allocation.

"Dinadagdagan ko lang yung DOST at kung sino man yung ahensya na kung saan ay dapat ma-enhance natin," he said.

(I always increase the budget for DOST and other agencies that need to get enhanced.)

"Ang ating research and development sa loob ng napakahabang panahon natin Google, nagsho-shopping na lang tayo kung anong kailangan natin samantalang karamihan ng binibili natin Pilipino rin ang may gawa sa ibang bansa kasi nga wala tayong suporta rito," he said.

(Our research and development for a very long time now is Google. We only shop what we need despite the majority of what we purchase being made by Filipinos because we do not support them here.)

Further highlighting the importance of preparedness, Lacson recalled that he filled a bill on establishing a virology institute in the country, however, the bill was not signed into law.

On the issue of the West Philippine Sea
If elected president, Sen. Lacson said that his administration will focus on independent foreign policy and strengthening alliances with other countries.

When asked who he might appoint as his secretaries for the Departments of Defense (DND) and Foreign Affairs (DFA), Lacson said he is not at liberty to divulge, but noted that would appoint based on competency and experience.

"Ang [independent foreign] policy lagi naka-anchor sa national interest," Lacson said.

(Our [independent foreign] policy is always anchored on national interest.)

"Kahit sino ang i-appoint na Defense Sec. hindi pa rin natin kaya ang China dahil malakas sila."

(Whoever is appointed as defense secretary, we still cannot face china because they are strong.)

Lacson also noted that strengthening alliances with neighboring countries will bring a "balance of power" in the West Philippine Sea.

On pork barrel: 'Not bad, but needs correction'
According to Sen. Lacson, pork barrel for politicians are not necessarily bad, but there is a need for it to be tweaked and fixed. This is especially on issues such as lawmakers and implementing agencies accepting commissions.

"Hindi po talaga masama per se ang pork barrel, ang kailangan lang, ayusin ang paggamit at hindi ma-misuse at hindi ma-abuse," Lacson said.

(The pork barrel is not bad per se, what it needs is proper utilization so it is not misused and abused.)

According to Lacson, he will address this issue with his Budget Reform vision where congressmen will also take part in the drafting of projects of the local development council.

"Kasali naman sila under the local government code, dun sa pagbalangkas ng mga proyekto, mga programa, mga activities sa local development council nang sa ganun maayos ang preparation ng budget," he said.

(They are part of the local government code, in the drafting of the projects, programs, and activities in the local development council in order to have a proper preparation of the budget.)

"Hindi 'yung pagdating sa Kongreso ay doon na lamang isingit at hindi na-cocoordinate ito sa mga ahensya na mag-iimplementa," he added.

(This will avoid the insertion and no proper coordination among implementing agencies when it reaches Congress.)

Also set to showcase their plans and platforms on DZRH's Bakit Ikaw: The Presidential Job Interview are Sen. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao on Jan. 29, former secretary of National Defense of Philippines Norberto Gonzales on Feb. 1, and Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo on Feb. 2.

The Bakit Ikaw: The Presidential Job Interview is aired on all DZRH digital, Radyo Natin website, and other traditional media platforms. (DZRH)