Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Saturday pushed back against claims that his disclosures regarding illegal reclamation projects in Taguig City were unfounded, asserting that his findings are fully backed by evidence.
Responding to calls for proof from Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, Lacson disclosed that the Land Registration Authority (LRA) has flagged four parcels of illegally reclaimed land as “fraudulently” titled. Additionally, at least four other tracts do not appear in the agency’s digital mapping files.
“Since Sen. (Alan Peter) Cayetano keeps publicly asking for evidence, I’ll give it to him, in the spirit of public interest,” Lacson posted on social media.
The senator detailed four specific land titles he insists are “NOT FAKE NEWS,” though specific titling numbers and ownership names are currently withheld due to an ongoing probe:
- Administrative Patent: An Original Certificate of Title (OCT) spanning 9,204 square meters.
- Judicial/Ordinary Land Registration: An OCT covering 5,000 square meters.
- Homestead Patent: A Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) encompassing 181,077 square meters.
- Direct TCT Issue: A TCT covering 193,027 square meters.
Lacson noted that the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) originally uncovered the titles covering roughly 38.83 hectares along the Laguna Lake section of Taguig. The LRA is currently reviewing the historical trail of these documents to determine how they were acquired.
“I requested the LRA to backtrack the history of the issued OCTs (original certificates of title) and other modes of titling, so we will find out how they were manipulated with the end in view of filing criminal charges against those responsible,” Lacson stated.
He indicated that these titles could be declared null and void from the beginning once formal forfeiture proceedings begin.
All gathered documentation, along with separate crates of Department of Public Works and Highways files on Taguig projects, will be submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman’s fact-finding unit for legal action.
“All of these will likewise be turned over to the Ombudsman fact-finding team for their further appropriate action,” Lacson confirmed.