Lacson eyed as post-Yolanda rehab czar

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is reportedly President Benigno Aquino III’s choice to be the “czar” of the government’s rehabilitation and reconstruction program for areas devasted by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

A source said the President met with Lacson in his private office on Friday, November 29. The meeting, brokered by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr, lasted for more than an hour, the source added.

There has been no formal agreement yet, according to the source.

Malacañang has neither confirmed nor denied the reports. Lacson could not be reached for comment.

Reports on Sunday night, December 1 said that Lacson has accepted the offer. Citing a text message from Lacson himself, the reports said the former senator has conveyed his acceptance to the President.

Malacañang has yet to confirm the reports. A source close to Lacson told Rappler: “He has expressed willingness…to the President.” The source added: “But he wants to make sure that he is empowered enough to get things done.”

The issue is how Malacañang would define his functions and powers, the source explained. 

A senior Palace official said that Lacson is indeed being considered for the post but that, as of Sunday, “nothing is final yet.”

Asked whether Lacson’s name cropped up in meetings over the past week for the government’s post-Yolanda rehabilitation program, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr did not give any categorical answer. But he acknowledged Lacson’s qualifications. 

“Ang pinaka-focus po ng Cabinet meeting ay hindi naman sa mga partikular na indibidwal, kundi mismo sa rehabilitation program po. Doon naman po sa kakayahan ni Senador Lacson, kilala na po siya sa kanyang record ng paglilingkod. Naging director general po siya ng Philippine National Police bago po siya naging senador, ano, at ‘yung kanya namang paglilingkod (bilang) senador ay for, I think, two terms at maganda naman po ang kanyang record bilang legislator at public servant.” Coloma said Sunday, in an interview with government-run dZRB radio. 

(The focus of the Cabinet meeting was not on a particular individual but on the rehabilitation program. As for Senator Lacson’s qualifications, he has a known track record for public service. He became a director general of the Philippine National Police before he became a senator and during his service, for, I think, two terms, he had a good record as a legislator and a public servant.)

The Cabinet is still considering the coverage of the rehab czar’s power, Coloma said, since the government also has to deal with other natural and man-made calamities that stuck the country over the past year, including Typhoon Santi, the Bohol earthquake and the Zamboanga standoff. 

The source said Aquino also told Cabinet officials of his plan to appoint Lacson during Friday’s Cabinet meeting. 

The President has long wanted Lacson to join his Cabinet. In June 2012, he revealed plans to appoint Lacson and former Sen Francis Pangilinan to positions as their terms were ending in 2013.

The initial plan was to name Lacson to an anti-corruption post. But last week, Lacson himself told reporters that would be duplicating the other functions of existing agencies.

The government plans to allocate a P40.9-billion rehabilitation fund for areas devastated by Yolanda, which left more than 5,000 dead and at least 1,700 still missing as of Sunday, December 1. – Rappler.com