Lacson: Those using Cha-cha to extend term are ‘doubly thick-skinned’

LACSON GUESTS AT KAPIHAN: Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. (PRIB Photo by Cesar Tomambo/ 11 January 2018)

“Dapat pala ang sinabi ko, dobleng kapal ang mukha.”

(I should have said they’re doubly thick-skinned.)

This was how Senator Panfilo Lacson rebutted on Sunday a sentiment of a House of Representatives leader against his statement calling some lower House lawmakers “thick-skinned” or “makapal ang mukha” for pushing a constituent assembly (con-ass) in amending the Charter for their own interests.

“Pasensya na kay Cong Castro kung nasaktan siya sa sinabi ko na makakapal ang mukha ng mga hindi makapagpigil magsabi na gagamitin nila ang Charter change para – 1) mapalawig ang termino nila at; 2) wala nang eleksyon,” Lacson wrote on Twitter.

(Sorry to Cong. Castro if he was hurt about what I said that those who can’t stop themselves from saying that they’re using the Charter change to 1) extend their term and 2. have no elections are thick-skinned.)

Pasensya na kay Cong Castro kung nasaktan siya sa sinabi ko na makakapal ang mukha ng mga hindi makapagpigil magsabi na gagamitin nila ang Charter change para – 1) mapalawig ang termino nila at; 2) wala nang eleksyon. Dapat pala ang sinabi ko, dobleng kapal ang mukha.

— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) January 14, 2018

Lacson was referring to House Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro who earlier rebuked his statement.

“Hindi ito tamang repleksyon ng isang pagkatao na inaasahan ng ating mga mamamayan sa isang mambabatas na kapareho ni Senator Ping Lacson,” Castro said over a dzBB interview on Sunday.

(This is not the proper reflection of a person who the people are counting on as a lawmaker like Senator Ping Lacson.)

“Hindi lamang unparliamentary, kundi hindi makatao, hindi propesyunal, walang edukasyon,” he added.

(Not only is it unparliamentary, it’s also inhumane, unprofessional, uneducated.)

During a “Kapihan sa Senado” media briefing last week, Lacson criticized some allies of President Rodrigo Duterte at the House who are floating the scenario of a no-election in 2019, term extensions and holdover capacity.

“Ang danger kasi, sila ang makikinabang… ‘Yung pag nandoon na, kung ganoon na kakapal yung pagmumukha nila, eh ano magpe-prevent na kakapal lalo mukha nila pag nag-holdover sila?” the senator said.

(The danger is, they will be the ones who will benefit… When they’re there already, if they’re already thick-skinned, what will prevent them from having even thicker skin when they have a holdover?) /je