Lacson willing to accept campaign donations from legal, responsible mining firms

Senator Panfilo Lacson INQUIRER PHOTO / EDWIN BACASMAS

MANILA, Philippines —Senator Panfilo Lacson said Monday he would accept campaign contributions from mining companies as long as the donations are legal and don’t create a conflict of interest.

Lacson made the remark during the 2022 Presidential One-On-One Interviews with Boy Abunda.

“Yes. Kung legal naman yung mining company at may permit at lahat sumusunod, why not?” Lacson said when asked if he is willing to receive donations from mining companies.

(Yes, if the mining company is legal and has a permit, and is following regulations, why not?)

“Basta’t hindi illegal at hindi nagvi-violate ng batas (As long as they are not illegal and are not violating laws),” he added.

Lacson said they would reject donations when there is a conflict of interest such as pending legislative franchises.

“Ginagawa na namin ito before, hindi lahat ng donations tinatanggap namin (We have done this before, we do not accept all donations),” Lacson said.

During the interview, Lacson agreed with the government’s move to lift the ban on new mining permits and open pit mining.

READ: DENR lifts 4-year ban on open-pit mining

However, Lacson stressed that mining companies should be responsible and follow government regulations.

“Tama lang ni-lift yung ban… Basta sa akin, ang bottomline is kailangan responsible mining (It’s right that the ban was lifted, but the bottomline is it should be responsible),” Lacson said.

Lacson also wants to put a stop to the “palakasan system” or the double standard when it comes to regulations in the mining industry.

abc