FORMER senator Panfilo Lacson yesterday commended the Marcos administration after the country exited from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) Grey List or jurisdictions under monitoring for money-laundering and terrorism financing.
“Commendations are in order for this administration, particularly those who worked hard to accomplish this feat,” said Lacson, who is seeking a Senate return under President Marcos Jr.’s “Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas” slate.
Lacson, a principal author of the amended Anti-Money Laundering Act, said he has long been an “advocate of empowering the Philippine government to go after dirty money and punishing those responsible for having our country tagged as a haven for criminal elements involved in financial crimes and other related criminal activities.”
“It is indeed a welcome development that after so many years since the passage of the law, we are now out of the FATF grey list,” said the former PNP chief under the Estrada administration.
The country, which has been in the FATF’s grey list since June 2021, was also under increased monitoring by the international watchdog since its inclusion in the grey list.
The FATF, a global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog, announced last Friday that the Philippines has already made significant progress in improving its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) regime.
It said the Philippines was able to “meet the commitments in its action plan regarding the strategic deficiencies that the FATF identified in June 2021.”
“The plenary agreed to take the Philippines off the grey list in recognition of the completion of their action plan, which was agreed in June of 2021. Amongst other efforts and results, the Philippines is now actively combating the risk of dirty money flowing through casinos in the country,” FATF president Elisa de Anda Madrazo had said during a press briefing.
“The Philippines is expected to sustain the implementation of the reforms and importantly to do so in a way that is consistent with the FATF standard. The country will continue to work with the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) on money laundering and will start preparing soon for their next evaluation,” she also said.
UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) country manager Daniele Marchesi, during the 5th State Conference on the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) implementation and review held in Malacañang, last December said successfully exiting the grey list will enhance the Philippines’ reputation in the international financial community and will open doors for greater investment and economic opportunities.
Meanwhile, in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Alyansa senatorial candidates committed to secure funding for the Negros Island Region (NIR) to ensure its smooth implementation following its re-establishment.
The commitment comes amid concerns that budget constraints may delay the full transition of the new region, which is comprised of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
Lacson said funding must be included in the 2026 national budget, as preparations for next year’s National Expenditure Program are underway.
If immediate funding is needed, he suggested tapping unprogrammed funds under the President’s Special Purpose Fund.
“As long as there is an item or items in the 2025 budget that need to be augmented by the President, he can tap the unprogrammed funds under the Special Purpose Fund,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English.
Lacson also called for official recognition of Siquijor in the region’s name, emphasizing that it should be referred to as NISR (Negros Island and Siquijor Region).
Reelectionist Sen. Francis Tolentino underscored the urgent need for funding to establish regional offices and infrastructure, including the PNP regional headquarters in Kabankalan.
He explained that while operating budgets for regional agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development remain under their original regions, additional funding will be required for relocation and operations.
Tolentino likewise stressed the need for disaster response funding, as thousands remain displaced due to Mt. Kanlaon’s ongoing volcanic activity.
He also urged the Department of Budget and Management to fast-track transition funding.
The NIR was re-established through Republic Act No. 12000 to streamline governance and improve service delivery across Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
Lacson and Tolentino vowed to ensure adequate funding in the 2026 budget while working with the DBM, NEDA, and local officials to address immediate needs.
Aside from Lacson and Tolentino, Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas includes reelectionist Senators Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, and Imee Marcos; former senators Vicente Sotto III and Manny Pacquiao; Reps. Secretary Erwin Tulfo and Camille Villar, former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, and Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay.
