A polarizing figure, Lacson says he will head reconstruction of central PHL
http://www.gmanetwork.com/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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