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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Lacson: There are 2 suspected ghost projects in Taguig 'so far'

Lacson: There are 2 suspected ghost projects in Taguig 'so far'

Published Jul 22, 2026 01:07 pm

At A Glance

  • According to Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, initial findings by his team, showed a staggering number of slope protection and drainage projects - most of them costing P100 million each - with a combined value of some P2.085-billion.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (Facebook)
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (Facebook)

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said on Wednesday, July 22 that there are two suspected “ghost” projects in Taguig City, the political bailiwick of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano. 

Lacson, who earlier vowed to protect his integrity after the latter linked him to alleged anomalies, disclosed the findings of his office on social media. 

According to Lacson, initial findings by his team, showed a staggering number of slope protection and drainage projects - most of them costing P100 million each - with a combined value of some P2.085-billion.

"TAGUIG GHOST INFRA PROJECTS UPDATE: We have documented at least 2 case studies so far. Too many P100M slope protection and drainage projects totaling P2.085B out of the P6.79B insertions under the 2025 GAA," Lacson said in a post on X.

"There is no turning back!" he added.

https://x.com/iampinglacson/status/2079754356266770691

Earlier, the senator said their initial findings include projects involving firms owned by the Discayas but implemented by another contractor under a five percent (5%) royalty scheme, and other similar projects contracted to Topnotch Catalyst Builders.

Topnotch Builders is included among the top 15 flood control project contractors announced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last year.

The projects including those involving Discaya-owned firms dated back to 2019 and 2020, when Cayetano was House Speaker.

According to Lacson, some of the defective projects had overlapping spans that appeared to allow room for kickbacks; others were subjected to attempts to “repair” some of the ghost projects.

With the help of informants and witnesses, the former national police chief said he continues to gather documentary and testimonial evidence on Cayetano's P6.79-billion in budget insertions, along with 25 percent kickbacks in slope protection and other infrastructure projects.

He added that of the P6.79-billion budget insertions under the 2025 GAA (General Appropriations Act), 68 out of the 70 projects had been implemented – while two projects involving P75-million remained unreleased or unobligated.

"(Cayetano) asked for it, I'll give it to him. I will pursue this to its logical conclusion. I will not ‘invent’ or ‘fabricate’ evidence but because of his attack on my integrity, I will exert extra effort to find those pieces of evidence, documentary or testimonial," Lacson stressed.

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Alan Cayetano Ping Lacson Taguig ghost projects
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