PANFILO LACSON

Two dangerous signs are emerging from Pnoy’s plan to appoint Sen. Ping Lacson as anti-crime czar Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) secretary.

First: Pnoy is showing his VERY LITTLE REGARD for law and justice. In the process, he is highlighting his HYPOCRISY in his highly-publicized and supposed adherence to transparency.

We all know that Lacson returned to the country using documents authorities had branded as forged or fake after a year or so in hiding.

The use of fake or forged documents is ILLEGAL.

But Lacson was NEVER EVEN INVESTIGATED for it. Pnoy DIDN’T ORDER any agency to probe the issue. He NEVER ATTACKED Lacson despite his government’s endless proclamation that ‘no one is above the law.’

Lacson got away with it as if HE HAD NEVER DONE ANYTHING WRONG in the first place. And now, this early, Pnoy is seriously considering him to be anti-crime czar or DILG boss, the TOP IMPLEMENTOR of the law.

What ‘no one is above the law’ is Pnoy and his boys are talking about?

Obviously, for Pnoy, it’s what he wants or who he wants that matters. He doesn’t give a shit with questions on truth, transparency or the reputation of his choice.

That’s wisdom or maturity, guys, Pnoy style.

Second: If Lacson will get away TOTALLY with using questionable travel documents for his return, WHAT WILL STOP HIM from doing anything he wants, legal or not, once he’s named anti-crime czar or DILG secretary?

Add to this the following:

Up to now, Lacson HAS NOT SHOWN anything outstanding in his performance as a senator – no landmark bills authored and enacted into law, no admirable record in the number of bills filed, no infrastructure or pro-poor project.

The only thing Lacson is known for as a senator is his exposes of supposed illegal acts committed by or involving former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband Mike.

Of which he NEVER GOT TO PROVE any beyond reasonable doubt.

So what is our guarantee that he will render a better and truly impartial performance as anti-crime czar of DILG head?

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Filipinos came to know him for his sterling and "no non-sense" leadership as Chief of the Philippine National Police.

As chief policymaker of the police organization, Senator Panfilo M. Lacson was responsible for the serious reforms in the PNP that had won the confidence of businessmen and foreign investors and the cooperation of the general public when he initiated closer coordination with other law enforcement agencies, here and abroad, in the fight against narcotics trafficking through supply constriction and demand reduction.

All of these were accomplished to bring back the old glory of the policeman.

The Filipino people rewarded Senator Lacson with a Senate seat in the May 2001 elections for his sterling performance as a public servant.

Born out of humble beginnings on June 1, 1948, in Imus, Cavite, Senator Lacson finished grade school at the Bayang Luma Elementary School and high school at the Imus Institute. Before he entered the PMA in 1967, he took up AB Philosophy at the Lyceum.

He carried the family name with pride and grew up to be a man of principles. His fascination with principles became more deeply embedded when he entered the PMA. He nourished these principles at the Philippine Constabulary, which he joined after graduating from the PMA.

He then joined the Philippine Constabulary - Integrated National Police Anti-Carnapping Task Force in 1986, and in 1988, be became the provincial commander of Isabela until 1989. That same year, he became provincial director of Laguna and held the post until July 1992.

As a legislator, Senator Lacson has learned fast and with certainty to carry the broad struggle of the Filipinos by heart. As a public servant, he has faithfully observed a personal credo - What is right must be kept right. What is wrong must be set right.

He primarily authored the Anti-Money Laundering Control Act of 2001, the Alternative Youth Training Course, an optional program for college students, and the Anti-Human Trafficking Act of 2001.

To date, Senator Lacson is working on legislation to fight the problem of terrorism through the passage of the Anti-Terrorism bill and to alleviate the condition of various sectors of society including students, contractual workers, barangay tanods, police, military and fire protection personnel.