Koko, Drilon back Ping amid Faeldon’s allegations vs. Pampi

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel and Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Thursday came to the defense of Senator Panfilo Lacson, whose son is accused of large-scale cement smuggling by former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon.

In a text message, Pimentel said the timing of Faeldon’s allegations was suspicious.

“Eh bakit hindi nila kinilusan yan agad? Bakit ngayon lang bibira pagka-tapos siyang birahin ni Sen Lacson?” the Senate President said.

“We have to make sure that this is not pang lihis lang ng isyu. And Faeldon should state everything he knows about everyone involved in suspicious activities in Customs and not only concentrate his return fire on the person who exposed the tara system in BOC,” Pimentel added.

Faeldon accused Lacson’s son, Panfilo “Pampi” Lacson Jr., of being involved in cement smuggling.

Faeldon said Lacson Jr. only had P20,000 in capital but his company—Bonjourno—was able to import billions of pesos' worth of cement in 67 shiploads.

He also alleged that Lacson Jr. undervalued the shipments by 50 percent as he only paid $8 per metric ton versus the market price of $16 to $20.

He claimed that according to the Cement Manufacturers' Association of the Philippines, Bonjourno is the biggest cement smuggler.

The accusations came after Lacson delivered a privilege speech at the Senate naming Faeldon and other Customs officials as among those allegedly receiving “tara” or bribes.

In a statement, Drilon called Faeldon’s allegations as “an act of desperation.”

“Bakit ngayon lang, 24 hours after Sen Lacson's exposè? An act of desperation on the part of Faeldon,” Drilon said.

“I have full faith in the uprightness of Sen Lacson and his family. Without any evidence other than Faeldon's allegation, I will oppose any investigation. It will be a waste of time and will simply be used as a venue for character assassination,” he added.

Faeldon has urged the Senate to probe his claims against Lacson’s son. The senator himself said he is willing to attend any investigation and will advise his son to face the issue head on. —NB/KVD, GMA News