Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson demanded accountability on Friday for alleged illegal reclamation activities along the Taguig side of Laguna Lake, claiming the operations have continued under the guise of flood control initiatives.
Lacson alleged that these activities persist in the political stronghold of Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator Pia Cayetano, and Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano.
He accused the Cayetanos of using their influence to pressure regulatory officials tasked with safeguarding the lake. His team’s assessment has identified at least 32 “grossly anomalous” flood control projects in the area, a number that continues to grow.
”The Cayetanos have disguised these unabated and illegal reclamation operations in the Taguig side of Laguna Lake as flood control and mitigation projects for several years now, using their power and influence to harass officials of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) and other agencies tasked to protect the lake,” Lacson said.
Referencing a news report, Lacson noted that an inquiry into the projects began in late 2025 after authorities discovered the local government failed to secure necessary permits or coordinate with proper agencies, with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources raising red flags as early as October 2025.
Listed developments include multimillion-peso flood control and rehabilitation projects awarded to Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc. and Dahl Construction Corporation, alongside a ₱49.9-million multi-purpose building.
Laguna Lake Development Authority General Manager Leopoldo Parumog confirmed that the local government failed to conduct required public consultations or obtain environmental permits before starting construction.
Lacson further alleged that Senator Alan Peter Cayetano harassed Philippine Reclamation Authority officials during the November 2025 budget deliberations to stifle oversight.
”Exposed! Impunity has its own limits. Maybe it’s time for justice and accountability to take over,” Lacson stated.
”That’s why Cayetano harassed the PRA officials during the November 2025 budget plenary deliberations of the Office of the President, PRA being under the OP. That’s as revealed to us by the PRA officials when we met with them early this week,” he added.