Lacson can talk to Aquino about additional powers—Palace

Rehabilitation czar Panfilo Lacson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – If he feels that changes should be made pertaining to his post, rehabilitation czar Panfilo Lacson could easily talk to President Benigno Aquino III, Malacañang said Thursday.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. was reacting to Lacson’s earlier statement that he was thinking of resigning since he had nothing else to do after completing the Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (CRRP).

Lacson lamented that he, as Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (PARR), had no power to implement programs.

“Siya naman ay mayroong pagkakataon na makipagpulong sa ating Pangulo at makipag-ugnayan din sa iba’t ibang ahensya. Tiyak naman na maaaring talakayin ‘yan, ano, sa mga ganyang pag-uusap at pagpupulong,” Coloma said during a televised press conference.

(He has the opportunity to meet with the President and coordinate with other agencies. I am sure that it can be discussed during such meetings.)

Coloma said Lacson’s sentiment probably comes from his extensive experience during the last eight months he spent assessing data and studying the situation in provinces heavily damaged by super typhoon “Yolanda” (international name “Haiyan”).

It was not the first time that the former senator expressed the difficulties he faced as rehabilitation czar. But Coloma said it was recognition of the fact that Lacson had learned a lot from his work.

“Dahil nga sa daloy ng panahon, mas nakakalap na siya ng leksyon at aral kung paano pa higit na mapapahusay ‘yung pagganap sa kanyang tungkulin, ay siguro naman po it would be fair to say na meron siyang batayan sa pagsasabi niyan,” he said.

(Through time, he was able to gather lessons on how to improve his work, perhaps it would be fair to say that he has a basis for saying that.)

Nevertheless, he said Cabinet members are trying their best to “work as one group.”