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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Lacson says 'original sin' behind flood control mess emanated from Congress

Lacson says 'original sin' behind flood control mess emanated from Congress

Published Sep 22, 2025 01:59 pm

At A Glance

  • "Congress is the original sin here. If congressmen and senators did not insert funds, there would be no funds for corrupt Department of Public Works and Highways officials to play with, especially in the district engineering offices," said Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in an interview.


Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson expressed on Monday, September 22 his belief that Congress is the “original sin” behind all the substandard and ghost flood control projects that have turned Filipinos’ lives into a living hell.

Senate Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson (Senate PRIB photo)
Senate Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson (Senate PRIB photo)

“Congress is the original sin here. If congressmen and senators did not insert funds, there would be no funds for corrupt Department of Public Works and Highways officials to play with, especially in the district engineering offices,” said Lacson, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in Filipino in an interview on True FM.

“It has come to a point where corruption became systemic, where even junior functionaries invent their own money-making schemes,” he stressed.

But this “logical conclusion” should not stop with former DPWH officials Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez, the contractors Sally Santos or the Discayas, he said.

“We must see to it that the logical conclusion reaches the 'original sin’,” the senator stressed.

Lacson is set to hold the next hearing of the Blue Ribbon Committee on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 9 a.m. He said he has asked Senate President Vicente Sotto III to slightly delay the start of the Senate’s regular session to 4 p.m.

In a radio interview on Sunday, Lacson said the panel is set to analyze on Monday the documents and other items submitted by Hernandez which he was able to retrieve from his home when he was escorted to return there under tight security.

Hernandez was cited in contempt, along with Alcantara, Curlee Discaya and Jaypee Mendoza.

Earlier, Hernandez had linked Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada to insertions in the 2023 and 2025 budgets, as well as kickbacks for flood control projects. Villanueva and Estrada denied the allegations.

“The important thing is to get to the bottom of the case and hold those accountable to task. Not just the Hernandezes and Alcantaras of this world, but those above them. As of now we cannot get to them until we gather enough evidence,” he said.

Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo is also among those invited to Tuesday's hearing. Bernardo is the DPWH undersecretary for operations who appointed Alcantara to the DPWH in Bulacan. Alcantara at the time was floating and "seconded" to the City of Manila under then Mayor Joseph Estrada.

Related Tags

flood control probe ping lacson Senate Blue Ribbon Committee DPWH Congress congressional insertions
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