Panfilo "Ping" Lacson

Overview
Panfilo Morena Lacson (born June 1, 1948) is a retired Director-General of the Philippine National Police, and is currently a member of the Philippine Senate.

Early life and studies

Born in Imus, Cavite, Lacson finished grade school at the Bayang Luma Elementary School and high school at the Imus Institute. He took up Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at the Lyceum of the Philippines University. In 1967, he enrolled at Philippine Military Academy. He was given a commission in the Philippine Constabulary after his graduation in 1971. He earned a postgraduate degree of Master in Government Management from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila in 1996.

Early police career

Lacson worked at the Metropolitan Command (Metrocom) Intelligence and Security Group (1971-1986), PC-INP Anti-Carnapping Task Force (1986-1988), as Provincial Commander of the Province of Isabela (1988-1989), as Commander of Cebu Metrodiscom (1989-1992), and as Provincial Director of the Province of Laguna (February to July 1992). He was then appointed to the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission as Chief of the Task Force Habagat from 1992 to 1995).

During the Estrada administration

Lacson headed the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) as Chief (July 1998-January 2001) as well as the Philippine National Police PNP Director-General, (November 1999-January 2001). During the second EDSA People Power Revolution, he declared his withdrawal of support to President Joseph Estrada. He submitted his resignation as Chief of the Police to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo a day after she took her oath.

Entry to politics

Lacson ran for the position of senator in the 2001 elections running under the LDP and affiliated with the Puwersa ng Masa coalition. He won a seat in the Senate, ranking 10th.

In the Senate, Lacson primarily authored the Anti-Money Laundering Control Act of 2001, the Alternative Youth Training Course, an optional program for college students, and the Anti-Human Trafficking Act of 2001.

2004 Presidential election

Lacson ran for President in the 2004 general election against the incumbent President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. His candidacy stirred disagreements with its party president, Edgardo Angara. The COMELEC decided to follow what was done in the Quirino-Avelino case splitting the certificates of votes into half. Angara appealed the case before the Supreme Court and reversed the COMELEC decision.

Lacson resigned from the party upon hearing the news. He continued campaigning and in the elections, he finished third, ahead of the late Raul Roco and Bro. Eddie Villanueva.

Future Plans

On November 13, 2006, in a press conference, Lacson announced that he will opt to run as mayor of the city of Manila in the 2007 midterm elections. However, a month after the announcement, he rescinded that decision and will instead run for re-election for a second Senate term.

Garci Tapes

On August 21, 2007, Isafp agent in Garci tapes resurfaces and Panfilo Lacson wants investigation by the Committee on National Defense and Security. During a privilege speech, Lacson played a taped interview of Air Force T/Sgt. Vidal Doble. Jr, formerly of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Isafp). Vidal stated that Project Lighthouse (September 2003 to April 2005), targeted several personalities. He is coming out only now since he is already a civilian and he did not see any action against cheating in the 2004 and 2007 elections.

An insider of Smart Communications worked with the Isafp in wiretapping political leaders during the 2004 elections, and Smart admitted it was possible that an employee coordinated with Isafp. Vidal Doble said 2 of his former superiors at the "Project Lighthouse" operation – Col. Paul Sumayo and Capt. Frederick Rebong – "coordinated" with a "recruit" and contact inside Smart. Ramon Isberto of Smart, said - "This first came out two to three years ago.

The company has not participated in any efforts to monitor conversations." Speechless wiretappers: Doble said he and everybody else involved in "Project Lighthouse" were shocked to hear President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo speak with former Virgilio Garcillano about the rigging of poll results. Doble said "Project Lighthouse" had 14 members divided into 4 teams - "All of the teams knew about the conversation of PGMA (Arroyo) and commissioner Garcillano." Doble revealed those who gave the order to launch "Project Lighthouse": Western Command (Wescom) chief Vice Admiral Tirso Danga, former deputy chief of staff for intelligence; Brigadier Gen. Marlou Quevedo, former Isafp chief; Army Col. Allen Capuyan, former head of the Isafp's special operations group; and "down the line" the project "group commander" Col. Sumayo; Capt. Rebong; and Capt. Lindsay Rex Sagge.

Personal life

Ping, as what many people call him, is married to Alice de Perio. Television personality Jodi Santamaria is his daughter-in-law, being married to one of his sons, Panfilo "Pampi" Lacson, Jr. with his son Panfilo "Thirdy" Lacson III, who is based in the United States on March 27, 2005.