Senator-elect Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson, who is making a political comeback, said Monday that he will prioritize the integration of all forms of “ayuda” (assistance) under the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the 20th Congress.
Lacson said this initiative is part of his commitment to good governance, along with a thorough examination of the national budget bill upon his return to the Senate.
“I have instructed my prospective legislative staff to draft an amendment to Republic Act 11310, which governs the 4Ps program. This amendment aims to expand the program and address the various sectors covered by other forms of ayuda, which have become confusing and have sometimes been exploited as political tools by some politicians during and outside of election periods,” he explained.
Lacson emphasized that expanding the 4Ps would be beneficial because it uses a data-driven list of beneficiaries, unlike other ayuda programs that are indiscriminate and susceptible to duplication, such as TUPAD, AKAP, AICS, and MAIP.
The seasoned legislator also highlighted that the implementation of the 4Ps involves studies conducted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Labor and Employment, and other relevant implementing agencies.
He pointed out that some lawmakers have even participated in the distribution of ayuda programs, including the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), where the bicameral conference committee allocated P21 billion for the House and P5 billion for the Senate, despite their lack of role as implementing agencies.
Further, Lacson expressed his intention to intensify his scrutiny of the national budget, including the review of the 2025 budget, which he described as “one of the most corrupt national budgets” he has encountered in his 18 years in the Senate.
“I will closely examine the budget after a three-year absence. I aim to study the pattern of how the national budgets have been passed over the last three years,” he said.
“I will prioritize scrutinizing the national budget since it is the lifeline of our economy. Without a budget, we cannot progress,” he added.
Additionally, Lacson plans to support local government units by proposing a possible one-percent rebate on their Value Added Tax remittances to the national government.
He indicated that these rebates could be utilized for infrastructure and livelihood programs, thereby serving as incentives for economic growth, which would lead to improved tax collection at both the national and local levels.