Another one? Lacson probing flood control projects requested by CA member
By Dhel Nazario
Senate President Pro Tempore and Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said on Saturday, March 14, is investigating a list of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control and other infrastructure projects that were reportedly "requested" by a Commission on Appointments (CA) panel member.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (OS Lacson)
In an interview on DZMM, Lacson claimed that this request was in exchange for the confirmation of then DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan in late 2022.
Lacson said that the information surfaced while he and his staff continued to inspect suspected anomalous flood control projects in other parts of the country.
"We received information that during a CA hearing for Bonoan's confirmation as DPWH secretary, the confirmation process was used for such a transaction," he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM, as he cited information from former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.
He also said he was validating the information from Bernardo that the one who made the "request" to Bonoan was from the House of Representatives contingent of the CA at the time.
Meanwhile, Lacson says his team continues to check flood control projects including those in Metro Manila - particularly one where the flooding situation got worse after a pumping station was built there.
"If the project turns out to be substandard or ghost, that would mean new recommendations by the Blue Ribbon Committee for the proper agencies to build cases against those involved," he said.