MANILA, Philippines — The political battle between Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has intensified as the two lawmakers trade accusations over questioned infrastructure and reclamation projects in Taguig City, with billions of pesos in government spending now under scrutiny.
Cayetano, the Senate Minority Leader and a longtime political figure in Taguig, accused Lacson of conducting what he described as a “demolition job,” “trial by publicity,” and “witch hunt” against him and the city.
Speaking in a Facebook livestream on Wednesday, Cayetano challenged Lacson to present evidence through the proper legal channels rather than publicly accusing him over projects being investigated.
Lacson, however, rejected Cayetano’s characterization of the probe and fired back on Thursday, saying the evidence gathered by his team speaks for itself.
The exchange comes amid an investigation into allegedly anomalous flood-control, multipurpose and reclamation-related projects on the Taguig side of Laguna Lake.
Lacson cites ₱3.713 billion in questioned projects
Lacson has said his team identified completed, ongoing and suspended Department of Public Works and Highways projects in areas connected to the disputed Laguna Lakeshore reclamation sites with a combined value of ₱3.713 billion.
The senator said the amount does not include other projects along the Taguig River that he alleged involved possible double appropriations and the reuse of photographs in documentation for supposedly completed projects.
Importantly, these remain allegations under investigation and should not be treated as established findings of criminal wrongdoing.
Lacson said his office has been turning over documentary and testimonial evidence to the Office of the Ombudsman, which is conducting a fact-finding investigation.
The evidence reportedly includes records from government agencies such as the DPWH, Philippine Reclamation Authority, Land Registration Authority and documents connected to national appropriations.
The Laguna Lake reclamation controversy
The dispute also centers on reclamation activities along Laguna Lake.
Lacson previously said his investigation had identified roughly 85 hectares of reclaimed areas in Taguig that he questioned as potentially unauthorized.
The controversy escalated after government agencies moved to halt certain reclamation-related works.
The DPWH issued cease-and-desist orders covering projects in the area, while government agencies have been examining whether required permits and clearances were obtained before construction and reclamation activities proceeded.
The Laguna Lake Development Authority has also been cited in reports concerning the need for coordination, consultations and regulatory clearances for activities within the lake area.
Cayetano: Show the evidence
Cayetano has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and challenged Lacson to substantiate his accusations.
He has also defended the Taguig Lakeshore development, arguing that the area has been used for public functions and has potential to generate benefits for residents.
Cayetano said it would be unfair to portray Taguig’s infrastructure development as wasteful without considering the projects’ actual use and impact.
He has previously invited Lacson and other officials to visit Taguig and inspect the projects personally instead of relying solely on documents and photographs.
Lacson says investigation is moving forward
Lacson, meanwhile, maintains that his investigation is based on government records rather than political accusations.
He said his team has already submitted evidence to the Ombudsman and continues to examine additional documents.
Earlier findings cited by Lacson included alleged instances in which different projects supposedly shared the same photograph for billing documentation, as well as projects that he said appeared to have overlapping appropriations.
The Philippine News Agency previously reported Lacson’s claim that his team had identified 32 allegedly anomalous flood-control projects in Taguig.
Government agencies are now expected to determine which projects complied with applicable laws and regulations and whether any public funds were improperly spent.
A political fight with a bigger issue behind it
The increasingly heated exchange between Cayetano and Lacson is also unfolding against a wider national controversy over alleged irregularities in government flood-control and infrastructure spending.
That makes the Taguig dispute bigger than a personal political clash.
At stake are questions over how public infrastructure projects were approved, funded, constructed, documented and monitored—and whether taxpayers received the projects they paid for.
For now, no final finding of criminal liability against Cayetano has been established in connection with these allegations. The Ombudsman fact-finding process and other government reviews will be critical in determining whether the claims raised by Lacson translate into formal cases.
The political war may continue, but the more consequential question is one that only the evidence and official investigations can settle:
Were the billions spent on Taguig’s controversial projects properly used—or was public money lost along the way?
WWC ONE MEDIA MJE
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