MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has flagged four parcels of allegedly illegally reclaimed land in Taguig City whose land titles he said were fraudulently issued, as the investigation into alleged irregularities involving infrastructure projects and reclamation activities in the city continues to widen.
In a statement posted on Saturday, August 29, Lacson said the documents involving the four properties would be turned over to the Office of the Ombudsman’s fact-finding team for further investigation and appropriate action.
Based on details released by the senator, the four parcels range from 5,000 square meters to 193,027 square meters and involve different modes of land titling and registration. Taken together, the areas total approximately 388,308 square meters, or 38.83 hectares.
The properties cited by Lacson include a 9,204-square-meter parcel covered by an Original Certificate of Title allegedly issued through an administrative patent; a 5,000-square-meter parcel processed through judicial or ordinary land registration; a 181,077-square-meter property linked to a homestead patent; and a 193,027-square-meter parcel covered by a Transfer Certificate of Title.
Lacson did not publicly identify the individuals named in the titles or disclose the title numbers, saying the examination of the records is still ongoing.
Four More Parcels Raise Fresh Questions
Beyond the four properties with questioned titles, Lacson said investigators had also found four other parcels with no corresponding plotted titled lots in the Land Registration Authority’s digital records, adding another layer of questions to the expanding inquiry.
The senator said the documents would be submitted to the Ombudsman as authorities examine the origins and history of the titles and determine whether laws were violated.
However, it is important to note that no court, the Ombudsman, or the LRA has yet issued a final ruling declaring the titles fraudulent. The allegations remain subject to investigation and verification by the appropriate government agencies.
Probe Now Linked to Alleged Illegal Reclamation
The controversy over the titles comes amid a broader investigation into alleged illegal reclamation along the Taguig side of Laguna Lake.
Earlier reports said Lacson had asked the LRA to trace the origin and history of land titles covering areas that he alleged were illegally reclaimed. The senator said the review was intended to determine how the titles were processed and whether criminal charges could eventually be filed against those found responsible.
The scope of the alleged reclamation under scrutiny has also varied as the investigation progressed. Lacson previously said authorities were examining at least 80 hectares, while subsequent reports cited alleged unauthorized reclamation covering approximately 84 to 85 hectares. The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) has been involved in examining the questioned reclamation activities and related documentation.
Lacson has argued that reclaimed areas undertaken without the necessary government approvals and permits should be subject to legal action, including possible forfeiture proceedings in favor of the national government.
Ombudsman, LRA and Other Agencies Drawn Into Investigation
The senator earlier said the Office of the Ombudsman had issued subpoenas for documents involving several agencies and offices connected to the Taguig investigation, including the Land Registration Authority, the Taguig Registry of Deeds, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Philippine Reclamation Authority.
The latest findings also follow Lacson’s earlier move to turn over documentary and testimonial evidence from his separate investigation into alleged anomalous infrastructure projects in Taguig to the Ombudsman for evaluation and possible motu proprio investigation.
Political Row Adds to Public Scrutiny
The investigation has unfolded alongside a highly public dispute between Lacson and Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, whose political bailiwick includes Taguig.
Cayetano has maintained that, to his knowledge, there are no “ghost” projects in the city and has called on Lacson to identify the specific projects and evidence behind his allegations. Lacson, meanwhile, has said he is presenting evidence in what he describes as the interest of public accountability.
As investigators examine the disputed land records, the central questions now go beyond the four titles flagged by Lacson: How were the properties titled, were proper procedures followed, and will the evidence lead to administrative or criminal cases?
For now, those questions remain in the hands of investigators. The Ombudsman and other concerned agencies have yet to issue final findings—and until they do, the allegations surrounding the Taguig land titles remain allegations under official scrutiny.
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