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A polarizing figure, Lacson says he will head reconstruction of central PHL
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December 1, 2013 8:36pm
 

Former senator Panfilo Lacson told reporters Sunday that he will lead reconstruction efforts in areas ravaged by super typhoon Yolanda.
 
"After a series of consultations and briefings from experts in the field of reconstruction and rehabilitation of disaster stricken areas over the weekend, I decided to accept the President's offer to be rehab czar,” Lacson told reporters in a text message on Sunday night, December 1.

The Palace has yet to confirm the appointment.

President Aquino reportedly told a Cabinet meeting on Friday that he had decided to appoint Lacson his rehabilitation "czar." Lacson said he would spend the weekend thinking it over after a lengthy meeting with Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa.

It is still not clear why Aquino would choose Lacson, one of the most controversial and polarizing political figures in the last two decades. As a senator for 12 years, his law-making often took a backseat to highly public word wars with fellow senators, especially Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, and ex-President Joseph Estrada, his former boss with whom he had a falling out during EDSA Dos in 2001.

Lacson also parted ways with his party leader then-Sen. Edgardo Angara in 2004 when the former ran for president.

As the head of rehabilitation dealing with both national and local government officials each with their own priorities and alliances, Lacson will need a deep well of public trust and all the skills of a mediator.

As Estrada's powerful chief operative against organized crime, Lacson was linked to several brutal murders, including those of the well-known publicist Salvador Dacer and his driver.

For more than a year while he was a senator, Lacson was overseas as a fugitive from justice, with Interpol assisting in the search. He returned in March 2011 after being cleared by the courts.

Lacson would still bring to any executive role the reputation for questionable methods as a law enforcer. At the very least, his opponents could harp on his colorful past and cause a distraction.

Lacson served as senator from 2001 to 2013. Prior to that, he was the Philippine National Police director general for two years.

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Lacson also warned politicians would face sanctions if they interfere in the use of rehabilitation funds.

“It’s up to them, but there is a law where they can be held liable. We have the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. We also have plunder,” he said.

He promised to look into reports that foreign donations were being replaced by low quality items and supplies.

Under his new mandate, Lacson will not only oversee the gargantuan task of rehabilitating the ravaged areas in the aftermath of Yolanda, but also managing funds, both from the government and international aid bodies, involving millions of dollars.

There is a total of P40.9 billion fund in the 2013 General Appropriations Act and another P14.5 supplemental budget recently passed by the Senate, aside from donations from other countries.

Lacson assured the public that the massive rehabilitation would be completed before the end of President Benigno Aquino III’s term in 2016.

The government has put the damage to agriculture and infrastructure in the calamity-stricken areas at P30 billion.

“If I can accomplish 85 or 90 percent [of the goal], that’s ok with me,” said Lacson, who is an ally of the President.

He said he had consulted with architects, engineers, urban planners and lawyers who told him the reconstruction job would be “difficult but doable.”

“The Important word for me is doable. It is a huge challenge but when you see the destruction even on television, you will feel disheartened and a desire to help,” said Lacson.

His objectives in the Yolanda-hit areas are to rebuild houses, government buildings, roads, airports and seaports and to restore the livelihood of those affected.

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In a television interview, Lacson said he will aim for “a balance between being dictatorial and being consultative.”

“These are special issues that we have to balance. We can’t be consulting all the time when there are already blatant violations,” he said.

Lacson said he has already discussed with the Land Registration Authority on how to rebuild the land titles and records that were lost during the typhoon.

“All records were washed away. This builds an open opportunity for land grabbers to take advantage of the situation,” Lacson said.

“How can you restore houses and government buildings if you don’t know the owners of the land?” he added.

He said new zoning codes could also affect landowners who own properties in Tacloban City, which was flattened by the super typhoon.

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