Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday accused Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson of carrying out what he described as a “demolition job, witch hunt and trial by publicity” amid Lacson’s inquiry into alleged “ghost” and irregular infrastructure projects in Taguig City.
During a social media livestream, Cayetano questioned Lacson’s efforts to connect him and Taguig to infrastructure projects currently being examined over possible anomalies.
Lacson has been looking into several projects in the city following allegations that some infrastructure undertakings may have been fabricated or irregular. He has also alleged that Cayetano financed “ghost” deals.
Cayetano argued that it would be unfair to associate him with every infrastructure project in Taguig, pointing to the city’s extensive development over the years.
“Tahasang ko pong sinasabi na si Senator Panfilo Lacson ay gumagawa ng isang demolition job, ng isang trial by publicity, at isa pong witch hunt sa siyudad ng Taguig,” Cayetano said.
He maintained that while he is prepared to face accusations against him as a public official, he objected to what he described as attempts to connect him and the city to every project and title under scrutiny.
“Wala pong problema na ako [ang] akusahan niya, public official po ako. Pero po i-link niya sa Taguig at sa akin lahat ng projects, lahat na po ng titulo doon — it’s not only po unfair, but simple lang eh. If he cannot convince people, he will try to confuse people,” he added.
Despite his criticisms, Cayetano said he does not harbor hatred toward Lacson and intends to respond to the allegations one by one through the appropriate forum.
“We will hate the sin but love the sinner. So wala pong galit, wala pong hate akong tinatapon kay Senator Lacson,” he said.
Cayetano said his approach would be to provide explanations and context rather than contribute to what he characterized as confusion surrounding the allegations.
He also highlighted various development initiatives in Taguig, including parks, public spaces and flood-control projects, which he said were undertaken over a period spanning more than a decade.
“Iisa-isahin natin yan sa tamang venue. Pero yun po, tuloy namin inaanyayahan kayong lahat. Tignan niyo po ang napakagandang mga parks, mga public areas na nagawa kaugnay ng flood control program noong 1999, 2000, 2001 na nagumpisa at lalo pong gumanda itong last 10 to 15 years,” he said.
LACSON: EVIDENCE ALREADY WITH OMBUDSMAN
Lacson, meanwhile, said the evidence his team has collected in connection with the questioned infrastructure projects has already been turned over to the Office of the Ombudsman.
He added that the investigation would continue and that his team would assist the anti-graft body in pursuing the matter.
“All the pieces of evidence that we have so far gathered are already with the Ombudsman. We will continue our efforts without let up and support the Ombudsman in this regard,” Lacson said in a text message to reporters.