Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano has accused Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson of allegedly colluding with the administration in the past to protect members of the Senate majority bloc and manipulate legislative investigations involving lawmakers.
During a social media livestream on Saturday, Cayetano claimed that Lacson utilized Senate committee inquiries to shield his allies within the majority while selectively targeting other senators.
“Basically ang sinasabi, nakipagsabwatan si Senator Lacson sa administrasyon para iporma laban kay Jinggoy, kay Chiz, kay Joel, etc. Regardless kung may zero truth, partial truth whatever… and then may mga pinagtakpan from masterminds [to] lower,” Cayetano alleged.
According to Cayetano, this supposed arrangement led him to suspect that cases involving senators linked to controversial flood control projects could be compromised through negotiations.
“At doon ko nga nakita ‘yung leeway ni Senator Lacson na—kasi may sinabi si Senator Lacson doon na parang, ‘di kausapin natin yung namamahala kasi yung witness na yan ay hindi credible,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano further alleged that Lacson cast doubt on a witness’s credibility and suggested discussing the matter directly with those overseeing the investigation.
Lacson, who previously served as the chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee during the leadership of former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, quickly fired back at Cayetano’s accusations through a social media post.
“When you’re strong on the law, pound the law. When you’re strong on the facts, pound the facts. When you’re weak on both… — mag-Facebook live ka na lang,” Lacson posted.
The heated exchange marks the newest public confrontation between the two lawmakers amid intensifying political tensions and ongoing scrutiny over government-funded flood control projects.