By Hannah Torregoza Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Thursday welcomed President Duterte’s readiness to sell government assets to boost the country’s response to the socio-economic crisis spawned by the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Panfilo M. Lacson
(CZAR DANCEL / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) “This is a time for the survival of our people and the whole country as well, and the President must think of anything, even the most extraordinary measure, to save us all,” Lacson said in a statement. Duterte earlier expressed his openness to address the current crisis by selling assets of the government in case it runs out of funds needed to cushion the effects of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine measures. The President admitted that the P270-billion budget allocated under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, which was passed in March to boost the government’s COVID-19 response efforts, may not be enough. “Pag wala na akong makuha (If I cannot find any other source) and we’re about to sink and really sink, I will sell all the assets of the government then itulong ko sa mga tao (then use the funds to help people),” the President said. Duterte, in his speech, said he is considering selling the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) or the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in order for the government to be able to generate more funds. “President Duterte's pronouncement to sell all assets of the government, if it is needed to bolster the government's response to the COVID-19 threat, is a mark of a true leader,” Lacson said. “I would have done the same for my men in my previous life if it came to that – and even with my Senate staff now,” he added. “As I have said before, these are extraordinary times that call for extraordinary measures, “ he emphasized.