30 cockfighting fans missing since Jan. 14
Partido Reporma presidential candidate Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and running mate Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III have called for a thorough investigation to find and give justice to 30 persons who went missing after going to a cockfight in Laguna.
The Lacson-Sotto tandem said the “sabong” enthusiasts should be found right away because their lives were at stake. Some family members had already approached them to find the “sabungeros,” first reported missing January 14.
Meanwhile, Lacson will be conferred a Lifetime Achievement Award on Saturday by the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PMAAAI) in recognition of his over 50 years of outstanding contributions to government and public service.
Lacson has been unanimously voted by the Board of Directors of the PMAAAI to receive the award for his “exemplary and unblemished service to the country” characterized by his “faithful adherence to the (PMA) virtues of Courage, Loyalty, and Integrity.”
On the missing cockfight enthusiasts, Lacson said if he were still the chairman of the Senate public order committee – which is now headed by Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa — he would investigate the matter.
Sotto said they got information that some of the relatives of the missing persons wanted to divulge something about the e-sabong (electronic or internet cockfighting operation).
“So, we’ll find ways to be able to talk to them and if necessary, if none of the members of the Senate presently are not interested, we can always ask the chairman of the Committee on Games to conduct an investigation or hearing from that,” he said.
“Given the urgency of the issue while the Senate is on regular adjournment, I am planning to conduct an inquiry as part of my committee’s oversight function over certain [government] agencies,” Dela Rosa, a former national police chief like Lacson, said.
On Feb. 3, police said they were searching for three people from Laguna involved in the cockfighting business in a bid to shed light on the whereabouts of four of the 26 missing cockfight players.
Senator Leila de Lima also aired concern over the incident.
“These cases of successive disappearance of individuals engaged in gambling is a perplexing phenomenon which demands for answers and closure,” she said.
“What’s this big mystery about missing or abducted sabungeros? Game-fixing syndicate? Is that the only theory? Why the seemingly slow pace of investigation? Are there true leads, persons of interest o suspects?” said De Lima.
She said the disappearance of sabungeros should not be taken for granted, lest we want to hear reports of more persons missing.
“These cases of successive disappearance of individuals engaged in gambling is a perplexing phenomenon which demands for answers and closure,” she added.
In a letter dated December 15, 2021, Cavalier Amado T. Espina, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of the PMAAAI, said Lacson established a “reputation beyond reproach and worthy of emulation” that brought honor not only to himself and his family, but also the entire PMA and its alumni organization.
The awarding ceremony has been scheduled this Saturday (February 19) during the annual Alumni Homecoming and Parade of the PMA at the Borromeo Field, Fort General Gregorio del Pilar, Baguio City in Benguet. Lacson is expected to be in town today (Friday).
In an interview with Bombo Radyo, Thursday morning, Lacson said he is going to accept the award along with his other fellow cavaliers, who will also be recognized for their achievements and contributions during their alumni homecoming event.
Lacson first mentioned about receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award in a presidential interview aired last month over the ABS-CBN News Channel, where he avoided a question that would cast his political rivals in a bad light and decided to just speak about his track record.
“I am seeking the presidency because) between us more than 80 years in public service—executive [and] legislative—kaming dalawa ni (me and the) Senate President,” Lacson said, referring to his running mate Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III.
“I have been in government for 50 years. In fact, I’m about to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the PMA this February. I thought I have contributed enough to our society. But look, maybe I can still do more with my experience and track record,” he said.
The longtime public servants are banking on their combined 83 years of experience in public service, 42 of which were spent in the Senate, and the rest on various roles under the executive branch.
They have agreed to campaign based on their own merits and not on the deficiencies of their rivals.
“I’m always proud of my track record, my integrity, and my competence. I don’t mean to brag, but I know myself; I know my limits and I know what I can (still do for our country),” Lacson further said.
In 2020, Lacson already accepted a Cavalier Award for Public Administration from the PMAAAI. He was honored for spearheading the fight against corruption in the Senate by enacting laws that focused on promoting transparency and public accountability in government.
The Partido Reporma chief also said he is going to maximize his two-day visit in Baguio City by holding dialogues with multisectoral groups to introduce himself and his platforms of anti-corruption and good governance to its residents.
He also plans to take a side trip to nearby provinces of Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija before going back to Manila to begin the Southern Luzon leg of his ongoing national campaign with Sotto and their senatorial candidates next week.
The principle of ‘leadership by example’ has become a rallying cry for the Lacson-Sotto tandem and members of their campaign teams on top of adopting the taglines ‘Aayusin ang Gobyerno at Uubusin ang Magnanakaw’ (‘Fix the Government’ and ‘Get Rid of the Thieves’).