MANILA, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano renewed his sharp criticisms against Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on September 29, accusing his colleague of acting as though he holds supreme authority over ongoing investigations into government flood control projects.
During a social media livestream, Cayetano alleged that Lacson has overstepped his senatorial role by attempting to dictate proceedings across multiple executive agencies and legislative committees.
”Si Senator (Ping) Lacson kasi ay Chief Justice Lacson, Prosecutor Lacson, DOJ (Department of Justice) Lacson, Secretary Lacson – siya na ang lahat. Siya na ang nagdidikta eh – sa LLDA (Laguna Lake Development Authority), Blue Ribbon Committee, DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government), at PRA (Philippine Reclamation Authority). Kahit sila na mismo ang magsabi, babaguhin niya,” Cayetano said.
The clash follows a recent reversal by Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon regarding alleged project irregularities in Taguig City, Cayetano’s family political stronghold. Days after telling a Senate subcommittee that Taguig had no “ghost projects,” Dizon clarified that several flood control initiatives in the city remain under investigation.
Dizon noted that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has submitted an initial site inspection report to the Office of the Ombudsman for validation, with final action pending.
Lacson accepted Dizon’s revised stance after pointing out contradictions between the secretary’s initial testimony and the DPWH’s internal inspection findings.
Cayetano rejected claims that he improperly influenced Dizon’s initial findings due to their past professional relationship, pointing out that Dizon maintains close ties with Lacson as well.
”Nilagyan kaagad ng kulay at malisya na dahil malapit ako kay Secretary Vince Dizon ay parang niluto namin o niya o kaming dalawa y’ung sinabing walang ghost project sa Taguig. So unang-una, lilinawin ko po iyon – si Senator Ping Lacson po ay malapit na malapit kay Secretary Dizon,” Cayetano said.
He also raised concerns over investigative transparency, questioning why Lacson was granted access to official DPWH reports while his own office received none.
”Eh ako, ni isang papel, hindi binigyan ni Secretary Dizon ng kopya. Pero sabi niya, open daw sa lahat,” he said.
Cayetano further suggested that personal friction and presidential ambitions might be fueling Lacson’s focused scrutiny on Taguig, claiming Lacson harbors long-standing political resentment against him.
”May ambisyon talaga siya maging Presidente at galit talaga siya sa akin kasi nga, nung natanggal sila (sa posisyon), naapektuhan ang plano niya. Pero ang hindi niya alam, even before that, nag-erode na ang public trust sa kanya kasi may pinipili lang (na imbestigahan),” he added.
Addressing recurring political threats, Cayetano claimed Lacson has repeatedly expressed a desire to see him behind bars.
”Covertly, sinabi na ni Senator Lacson iyan, paulit-ulit na sabi niya, ‘pakukulong ko iyan.’ He said it in different ways… Basta’t kay Senator Lacson, basta’t nangyari sa Taguig, automatic si Alan Cayetano may kasalanan,” he said.
Ending his statement, Cayetano urged both Lacson and Dizon to adhere strictly to the President’s directive regarding impartial governance and non-selective accountability.
”Kapag sinabi mong walang sasantuhin, that goes both ways. That means no one guilty will be left behind. So kapag guilty iyan, ituro mo kahit gaanong kalapit sa Pangulo. Pero it also means that if someone is innocent, hindi mo sasabihin na guilty siya,” he said.