Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson has suggested what he called the "retribution plus restitution" formula in dealing with erring officials and contractors behind anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects.

Lacson, in a radio interview Saturday, Oct. 11, said the government--and taxpayers--can potentially get back an initial P26 billion from contracted flood control "ghost" projects between 2023 and 2025 worth P629 billion, with 80 percent possible restitution in exchange for shortened jail terms after conviction of those involved.

"A simple extrapolation using the initial finding of 421 contracted ghost flood control projects out of the 8,000 (5.26 percent) so far inspected by the AFP/PNP/DepDev composite team as standard, with an aggregate total amount of at least P629 billion worth of flood control contracted projects in 2023-2025, if all those responsible--contractors, politicians and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials--will return just 80 percent of their loot, after a plea bargaining agreement in exchange for shortened jail terms, easily the Filipino people can recover at least P26 billion," he explained.

"Imagine the hundreds of billions in taxpayers’ money that we may be able to recover out of all the other similarly corrupted infrastructure projects," he added.

But Lacson said those conducting the investigations--including the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), Ombudsman, Department of Justice (DOJ) and the judiciary--will have a key role.

"Of course, everything depends on the political will of those conducting the investigations like the ICI, Ombudsman, DOJ and the judiciary. The President can take the lead and initiative to pursue the direction towards this end," stressed the senator from Cavite.

"Anyway, he was the triggering mechanism with his famous 'Mahiya naman kayo (Have some shame)' line in his July 28, 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA)," he said.

Lacson said that while plea bargaining can be pursued, the formula of restitution and retribution should not be taken as a compromise.

"The government may direct its investigation toward this formula. For instance, you cannot expect those involved to cooperate without plea bargaining. Although plea bargaining is not common in the Philippines, the lawyers of the government and those involved can pursue that," he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

"But there should be no compromise because we are talking about restitution plus retribution. No one should go free just because they returned their 'loot.' That is very unfair," he added.

Lacson added the government can also recover more resources by going after the insurance companies of the anomalous infrastructure projects.

He said a similar formula can be pursued by the agencies concerned in dealing with other anomalous infrastructure projects including farm-to-market roads, school buildings and multipurpose buildings.

Also, Lacson said the government must take inspiration from the people in fighting corruption, as he cited the anger continuously expressed by Filipinos over the flood control projects mess.

"It is right that the public's anger has not diminished. We continue to hear their chants to imprison the corrupt. This anger should not diminish because this is where the government should draw its inspiration," he said.