Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Monday, March 2, defended his decision not to schedule 18 former military personnel to appear before the Senate investigation into anomalous flood control projects, saying their testimonies may lack credibility.
Lacson, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, explained that the group of ex-Marine officials allegedly tapped to transport ₱805 billion in kickbacks by former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co presented accounts that were questionable from the start.
“If we allow the 18 to appear, it may become a circus. It’s like inviting people to a joyride, especially if we give them a platform knowing that their stories do not add up at the outset – if they are lacking in believability or incredible. Why dignify them if that’s the case?” Lacson said in a radio interview.
He noted that if the claims were true, the supposed cash delivery scheme would not have been completed until 2028.
“Even as we speak, I continue to fact-check the claims. It would be hard to call a hearing if these were lacking in believability,” he pointed out.
Lacson also questioned whether Co had access to the entire ₱805 billion, given that other personalities had admitted to receiving kickbacks from ghost projects.
“Of the ₱805-billion that was supposedly delivered, how much was left for Co, zero? Was he just a messenger? So we’re talking here of trillions of pesos in kickbacks,” he said.
He added that the figures were difficult to reconcile, stressing that Co’s role as appropriations committee chair gave him power over insertions but limited access to project implementation.
Lacson further raised concerns about the credibility of the ex-Marines, many of whom were dishonorably discharged.
“To be discharged dishonorably, there is due process to be followed. What kind of administrative cases did they face? Did it involve moral turpitude or grave misconduct? It is important to know so we can assess their credibility,” he said.
During his privilege speech, Lacson highlighted the implausibility of the ₱805-billion claim, citing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data that total physical cash in 2024 stood at ₱2.7 trillion.
He explained that the alleged amount would represent nearly 15% of all cash in circulation and bank vaults, making the claim “demonstrably false and physically impossible.”
“If their statements appear to be demonstrably false and physically impossible to accomplish, wouldn’t convening a hearing effectively validate and dignify disinformation?” Lacson pointed out.