Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson stated on Sunday, August 2, that he might consider visiting Taguig City only after its flood control projects are executed correctly and cleared of alleged corruption.
Responding to an invitation from Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano—whose family maintains a strong political presence in Taguig—Lacson lightheartedly quipped that he would rather hold off until the city’s flood management improves, joking that it has been a while since he last swam.
“Saka na lang pag maayos na ang flood control program sa Taguig. Matagal na akong walang practice mag-swimming; baka dun pa ako malunod sa tubig baha. ???? ???? Lol!,” Lacson wrote on social media.
Beyond the jest, Lacson highlighted a recent tragedy in which a seven-year-old boy drowned after being carried off by floodwaters in Taguig last month. The child’s body was recovered the next day in a Barangay Ususan creek—a location featured in one of five case studies Lacson submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman regarding suspected infrastructure anomalies.
Cayetano had previously invited Lacson during a live stream to inspect the city’s infrastructure projects directly, despite Lacson’s firm stance that his team had already gathered sufficient documentation and evidence.
For several weeks, Lacson has been spotlighting alleged irregularities in Taguig’s public works.
Over the weekend, he unveiled evidence suggesting Cayetano wielded heavy influence over local Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) operations, claiming district engineers were replaced if they acted without the minority leader’s backing, and pointing to a potential 33% kickback scheme.
Additionally, Lacson implicated Cayetano in unpermitted lakeshore reclamation efforts in Taguig, alleging that national funds earmarked for slope protection were diverted for those activities without approval from regulatory bodies like the DENR.
“Sabi ng aming resource person na maalam, hina-harass. Walang magawa. Pag may committee hearing papagalitan so na-harass ang mga tao. Wala din silang masyadong magawa kasi dumaan sa Speaker naging senador,” Lacson stated during a Friday interview.
“Nagulat kami sa dami ng anomalya sa Taguig. Maliit na siyudad pero grabe ang pondong pumapasok,” he added.