Citing possible plunder in Taguig, Lacson submits infra records to Ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo Lacson's office submitted documentary and testimonial evidence from his investigation into alleged anomalies in Taguig infrastructure projects to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Lacson said Tuesday, July 28, that the files were gathered from government databases and confidential sources and could support possible charges of plunder, malversation of public funds and violations of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

"We hope the excellent research and investigative work that my staff did in this regard won’t be wasted and will contribute to the Ombudsman’s efforts to expedite their investigation," Lacson said. "We will continue to submit to the Ombudsman whatever pieces of evidence we can still secure to help them achieve our shared crusade against graft and corruption."

Taguig projects. Lacson said Bulacan had previously been viewed as the center of flood control anomalies, but claimed the situation in Taguig showed a more complex scheme.

He alleged that the Taguig projects involved old and new tactics dating back to 2019, including illegal reclamation projects allegedly disguised as slope protection structures, ghost projects, double appropriations and the use of recycled photos from past contracts to bill for new ones.

Lacson also alleged that the scheme was orchestrated by a single individual, but he did not name the person in the statement.

His office estimated that Taguig accumulated around P14.4 billion worth of infrastructure projects from 2020 to 2025, with the amount expected to rise as more records are reviewed.

Senate feud. The probe into infrastructure projects in Taguig, the political stronghold of Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, was launched amid an intensifying feud between Cayetano and Lacson.

The tension escalated after Cayetano called Sen. Erwin Tulfo a "lapdog" of Lacson.

Cayetano, who is allied with two senators facing plunder charges, also questioned the integrity of the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth of Tulfo and Lacson.

Tulfo, speaking to reporters, claimed senators aligned with Cayetano were now asking the Senate majority bloc not to proceed with Blue Ribbon committee hearings.

“Sila na po yung nakikiusap na wag na daw po namin ituloy ang Blue Ribbon,” Tulfo said. (“They are now the ones asking us not to proceed with the Blue Ribbon investigation.”)

Asked about the possible reason, Tulfo said: “Obvious, sinong pinapa-imbestiga, sinong tinutumbok ni Sen. Lacson?” (“It’s obvious. Who is being investigated? Who is Sen. Lacson pointing to?”)