NEW PRESIDENT. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. takes his oath as the 17th President of the Philippines before Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo on Thursday (June 30, 2022). Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has welcomed the call of the President to focus on the future.(PNA file photo) BACOLOD CITY - Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has welcomed the call of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to focus on the future as he congratulated the new Chief Executive on his inauguration on Thursday. "His 110 million reasons to be confident of the future, his faith in the Filipino, and his call to believe and have hope is the positivity we all need as we start a fresh mandate," said Lacson, who is starting a second term, in a statement on Thursday night. He pointed out that Marcos "made clear his governing philosophy to focus on the future" when the President said that "we do not look back, but ahead, and t
Outgoing Senator Panfilo Lacson (File photo) MANILA - Outgoing Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday said the blocking of the websites linked to the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) has a legal basis. This, after the National Telecommunications Council (NTC), upon the request of National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., ordered the internet service providers (ISPs) to block 26 websites believed to have ties with Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). "If the blocked websites had to do with financing the activities of the CPP-NPA which the Anti-Terrorism Council had already designated as a terrorist organization, there is a legal basis under the law for such action undertaken by the NTC," Lacson said in a statement. Lacson, however, said concerned individuals or groups may challenge the NTC's directive before the court. "It is the basic right of an 'aggrieved' party to do so as it has something t
VISIT TO GUAM. Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson (left) is welcomed by Guam Lieutenant Governor Joshua Franquez Tenorio during a courtesy call on Wednesday (June 8, 2022). Lacson, who is on a four-day visit to the US island territory, is the guest of honor and speaker of the 124th Philippine Independence Day celebration of the Office of the Consulate General at the RIHGA Royal Laguna Guam Resort on the same day.(Photo courtesy of PIO Negros Occidental) BACOLOD CITY - Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is exploring opportunities for collaboration with Guam during his four-day visit to the United States island territory this week. On Wednesday, Lacson was set to grace the 124th Philippine Independence Day celebration of the Office of the Consulate General at the RIHGA Royal Laguna Guam Resort in Tamuning. He also met with Guam Lieutenant Governor Joshua Franquez Tenorio on the same day, where they discussed possible sisterhood ties between Negros Occidental and G
CONFIRMED. The Commission on Appointments approves the ad-interim appointments of 17 senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at the Senate session hall on Monday (May 30, 2022). Also in photo are Senators Christopher "Bong Go, Koko Pimentel III, and Cynthia Villar (top row; 6th, 9th, 10 from left). (Photo courtesy of Senate PRIB) MANILA - The Commission on Appointments (CA) and the Senate Committee on National Defense commended on Monday the performance of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the May 9 presidential elections during the deliberation on the ad-interim appointments of 17 senior officers. Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. attributed the success of the national elections to the security measures that the AFP, as well as the Philippine National Police, have implemented which led to high voter turnout and fewer election-related incidents. "Their tireless service and their dedication are to thank for, for the success of this very important democratic e
VOTED. Presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo Lacson raises his inked finger at the Bayan Luma 1 Elementary School in Imus City, Cavite on Monday morning (May 9, 2022). He said whatever the results might be, he is hoping candidates would let go of all hatred and animosities. (Contributed photo/Ruel Franciso - PIA Cavite) MANILA - Senator Panfilo Lacson anticipates living a normal life as a civilian in his home province of Cavite in case he does not win the presidency. Farming is included in his retirement plans. "Yeah, farming. It is something I will do. I will go back to farming in Silang," Lacson told the media after casting his ballot at Bayan Luma 1 Elementary School in Imus City a little past 7 a.m. on Monday. Recovering and regaining his strength after three months on the campaign trail nationwide is another. He said he is raring to resume his treadmill sessions and eat normally again, which he started on Sunday when he ate fried catfish. "Either I go to Malacanang