Lacson turns over evidence on Taguig ghost projects to Ombudsman
At A Glance
- The anomalies in Taguig City are "something else" compared to the questionable flood control projects he and his team earlier documented in Bulacan, according to the senator.
Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (Facebook)
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and his team on Tuesday, July 28 turned over to the Office of the Ombudsman all evidence gathered on the anomalous infrastructure projects in Taguig City, the political bailiwich of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.
Lacson said they were able to secure all evidence needed to support cases for plunder, malversation and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against those responsible.
“This morning, we turned over to the Office of the Ombudsman for their further evaluation and ‘motto proprio’ investigation all the documentary and testimonial evidence, i.e. official records culled from government websites, while others were supplied by reliable sources, that we have gathered so far,” Lacson said on X.
“We are looking at cases of plunder, malversation, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), etc.,” the senator added.
The anomalies in Taguig City are “something else” compared to the questionable flood control projects he and his team earlier documented in Bulacan, the lawmaker noted.
“These include passing off an illegal reclamation project as slope protection structures with several ghost projects, cases of double appropriations , recycled photos belonging to past and already completed contracts to bill and collect for new ones—all controlled by one person, dating as far back as 2019,” he said.
“For the period 2020-2025 alone, Taguig has accumulated P14.4B worth of infra projects and still counting,” he said.
The senator said he and his team will continue to submit to the Ombudsman whatever pieces of evience they can secure to help them achieve their crusade against graft and corruption.
“We hope the excellent research and investigative work that my staff did in this regard won’t be wasted and will contribute to the Ombudsman’s efforts to expedite their investigation,” Lacson said.
The former national police chief earlier vowed to investigate the projects in Taguig City after Cayetano attacked his integrity, a cherished value he inherited from his parents.
The lawmaker also said their investigation stemmed not from personal friendships but from the need to exact accountability.
“We assure the Office of the Ombudsman we won’t relax. We will ‘kalkal’ (dig) pa more!” Lacson said.