Ping to head Senate anti-graft committee?

CEBU, Philippines - Malacañang welcomes the entry of Sen. Panfilo Lacson into the executive department as he graduates from being a lawmaker into a possible resident graft buster of the administration.

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang did not confirm or deny reports that the executive order forming the anti-graft body to be headed by Lacson was being drafted when asked by reporters in a press briefing here ahead of the World Economic Forum.

But he noted the record of the senator in fighting corruption.

“I don’t have any personal awareness of that. I do know that the President is keen to tap the expertise of Senator Lacson. As you know, the President and Senator Lacson were colleagues in the Senate and they did a lot of work together in investigating corruption in the previous administration. So we would welcome Senator Lacson in the executive,” Carandang said.

With regard to another outgoing senator, Francis Pangilinan, Carandang said the President had disclosed he was looking for a place for him but there was nothing final yet.

He also said he was not aware of any Cabinet revamp that might happen soon.

Lacson has exposed a number of anomalies, especially during the time of former president Gloria Arroyo.

He also served as chief of the PNP where he was credited with instituting reforms. –Philippine STAR News Service (FREEMAN)