Lacson hits politicians hampering rehab efforts

Rehabilitation czar Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Rehabilitation czar Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has warned anew, this time, against politicians, who are allegedly “obstructing” the government’s rehabilitation efforts in areas ravaged by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

Lacson said he has a “short list” of people who are “getting in the way,” making it more difficult for them to  speed up  their work.

“We continue to untangle the knot created by political squabbling and personal differences. I always say this like a broken record, while I adhere to a policy of inclusion, I will not hesitate to go after people regardless of their political affiliation, who will put their personal interest and greed above the missions and goals set forth by the President,” he said when he spoke before a forum on rebuilding communities and ecosystems after Yolanda in Makati on Thursday.

“Roughly translated in cinematic words, it’s either you’re in or in the way,” Lacson said.

“And while the list of those who are in continues to grow, I am bent to deal with those who are getting in the way sooner or later,” said Lacson.

“All of these, we’re doing silently for the longest time purposely not wanting to attract attention, for I believe that whatever we will accomplish will speak for itself when it’s finished. For in the end, it’s the entire government and the Filipino people, not me who chose to (lift) themselves up and conquer the odds,” he added.

Interviewed after the forum, Lacson said the shortlist was about less than 10 people, and most of them are politicians.

“Mostly politicians what else is new?” he said.

These people, he said, refused to “cooperate” by either holding or delaying the requirements needed to complete a task.

“Medyo nagpapahirap. Pag may coordination,  sa halip na tumulong nga medyo nag o-obstruct sa halip na matuloy halimbawa yung gagawin, medyo hino-hold yung mga ganung experiences,”  Lacson told reporters.

“May mga requirement, may mga kailangan. Bakit pagkatagal-tagal ibigay or alam naming nandyan, bakit ayaw ipahiram? Alam naman naming available at walang ginagawa, bakit parang ayaw ipagamit?

But Lacson said this will not hamper their efforts to continue their coordination with these people and this was not enough basis as well to bring them to court.

“It’s enough that imparting through you or conveying through you na alam namin yung ganung problema. Baka akala nila hindi namin nalalaman yung kanilang pag o-obstruct,” he said.

On the  issue  of reported  substandard construction of bunkhouses for the  typhoon victims, Lacson said  the investigation is still ongoing and if the  evidence  will warrant,  appropriate  charges will be filed against  those responsible.

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