Lacson refuses to reveal sources on ‘pork’ insertion claims

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday refused to reveal his sources regarding alleged huge allocations that had been initially allotted to congressmen in the 2020 national budget.

Lacson said his sources sometimes volunteer information to him before he asks since they know he is committed to protecting their identities.

READ: Lacson bares plan to give House deputies P1.5B each

“This should not be an exception. Mga congressmen nagsabi sa akin, bakit ko sasabihin sa kanila sino sources ko roon (It was congressmen who gave me the information. Why will I reveal my sources)?” he said in an interview with reporters.

His response comes after House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez and Capiz 2nd District Rep. Fredenil Castro urged him to reveal his sources in accusing the lower chamber of allocating “pork” to its 22 deputy speakers.

READ: Romualdez, Castro urge Lacson to reveal source of pork allegations

Lacson also reiterated he will not apologize to members of the House of Representatives who were irked with his allegations regarding allocations for next year’s budget, adding it has always been his practice to scrutinize the national budget every year.

“Kani ako magso-sorry, e ako nag-i-scrutinize, nagbabantay sa budget ng Pilipinas? So kung may dapat mag-apologize, mag-sorry, siguro ‘yang mga congressmen na talagang walang tigil at wala na ring kahihiyan na abusuhin ang budget. Sigurado ko hindi ako ‘yan kasi ako tagabantay,” he said.

(To whom should I say sorry, since I am the one scrutinizing and watching over the budget of the country? If anyone should apologize, it should be the congressmen who do not stop and are unashamed of abusing the budget. I am sure I should not be the one who should apologize because I am the one watching over the budget.) /je