Lacson to return to PAOCTF?

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Panfilo Lacson, an administration ally, may be appointed by President Aquino to head the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) when his term at the Senate ends next year, Palace sources hinted yesterday.

“The President wants him to help in the peace and order situation in the country. Besides, that is his forte, being a former chief of the PNP (Philippine National Police),” the source said.

Aquino had considered appointing Lacson to head the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) before the death of Secretary Jesse Robredo in a plane crash, .

However, the President was apparently more concerned about having a majority in the Senate so he dropped the plan.

Palace insiders said this was the reason why Aquino chose Mar Roxas, president of the ruling Liberal Party, over Lacson, who is a known crime buster, as DILG chief.

With Roxas at DILG, the administration will have more hold over elective positions in the country.

Another source also insinuated that Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., current head of the PAOCTF, already has his hands full and had just been relieved of his post in DILG which he held in an acting capacity until Roxas’ confirmation.

Every year, the PAOCTF, which was created by former President Fidel Ramos, receives a budget of P500 million in intelligence funds.

The possibility that Lacson would still be part of the Aquino administration even after his term ends was confirmed yesterday by the senator himself.

During the first proclamation rally of the Liberal Party the other night in Cavite, Lacson said that Aquino aired his intention to talk to him about the possibility of joining his administration.

At the rally Aquino endorsed the candidacies of Lacson’s son Ronald Jay Lacson and Cavite Rep. Ireneo Maliksi, as vice governor and governor respectively.

Lacson said there are no clear details yet on what his exact role would be although he insinuated it would still be related to law enforcement and anti-graft and corruption, his fields of expertise and interest.

“No clear details yet since it is still months away from sine die adjournment of the 15th Congress. But I was told that he intends to offer me to head an agency under the OP (Office of the President) to combat crime and corruption at the level of law enforcement,” he said in a text message.

Shortly after he emerged from hiding and returned to the country last year, Lacson had a meeting with the President. They reportedly discussed matters on national security, peace and order and even the latter’s thoughts about the next chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP). - With Marvin Sy