Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Thursday, July 31, 2025 scored the lawmakers who applauded President Marcos’ rebuke when he raised the anomalies on flood control projects during his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

SENATOR PANFILO M. LACSON

"I would like to think that the standing ovation during the President’s SONA meant that there were still members of Congress whose hands remain unsoiled by grease money from the graft-ridden flood control projects,” Lacson said in a post on X.

“The others who also applauded were simply shameless hypocrites," he said.

https://x.com/iampinglacson/status/1950684342671507569

In an interview on Radio DZRH, Lacson said the “hypocrites” seemed surprised by the President’s remark before joining in the clapping.

“They seemed surprised and were looking around before joining the standing ovation and the applauding,” the senator said in Filipino.

Lacson said he will push for an independent auditing and investigation of the flood control projects, noting that the public will only be too eager to help provide information on the ground.

The senator also said the investigation ordered by the President should not be limited to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which had been allocating nearly P2-trillion for flood control projects since 2011 but failed to stop the flooding.

He said the President could task government agencies to undertake the probe but there should also be civilians.

“It cannot be all-government because many perceive the DPWH is involved, and that it may whitewash its findings and give the President a sanitized and untruthful report," he added.

He said the creation of an independent body that will look into the matter and allow civilians to participate in the probe would be better, given that many people will likely volunteer to help out.

“Many people are tired of the corruption and are willing to help, especially civil society organizations and non-government organizations (NGOs). They are willing to give the information they got from the ground,” he said.

“This is a chance for citizens to take up the challenge of the President, for all Filipinos to pitch in. We will also see how serious our government is,” Lacson added.

The lawmaker said he also hopes DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan would resist pressure from lawmakers to insert their projects - as well as to designate district engineers.

He pointed out former DPWH secretary Rogelio Singson had done this during the Aquino administration.

Singson, he said, also used online apps to keep himself updated on the status of any specific project on the ground.

“I hope that time will return,” Lacson said.