Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday, August 4, refuted claims that portions of the Taguig City lakeshore were illegally reclaimed by private entities, asserting that the developments consist of government-funded public parks built across multiple presidential administrations.
Speaking via a social media livestream, Cayetano rejected assertions that the national government could seize reclaimed sections along Laguna Lake, emphasizing that the infrastructure was developed through collaborations between local barangays, the Taguig city government, and national agencies under former presidents Benigno Aquino III and Rodrigo Duterte, as well as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
”Hindi totoo po yung mga marites na nagkakalat na may reclamation daw diyan na private. Yan po ay gobyerno lahat at ginawang series of parks… para lahat sa tao na libre ang paggamit nila,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano dismissed fears that ongoing scrutiny would strip residents of access to these public spaces, noting the developments helped curb illegal land grabbing while creating popular attractions, such as a Christmas park drawing over 20,000 nightly visitors.
Addressing opposition from Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Cayetano labeled him a “Senator-Judge troll” and characterized his claims as “hearsay,” “vague,” and “argumentative.”
Cayetano challenged critics to inspect the site directly and expressed confidence that an Office of the Ombudsman review would clear the projects. He also accused Lacson of using agency influence to drive the probe.
The statements follow Lacson’s announcement that his probe into Taguig infrastructure irregularities had expanded to suspected unauthorized reclamations along Laguna Lake.
Lacson stated that his team met with Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) officials, who allegedly confirmed findings involving fabricated slope protection projects and illegal reclamation along the C6 lakeshore.
He added that PRA officials backed allegations that Cayetano used intimidation during 2025 budget deliberations, while government inspectors faced physical threats on-site.
Working with the PRA, DPWH, Laguna Lake Development Authority, and the Ombudsman, Lacson’s office plans to pursue criminal charges and seek forfeiture of the land to the national government.
The move follows Lacson’s submission of five Taguig infrastructure case studies to the Ombudsman, alongside allegations of a 33% kickback scheme linked to DPWH operations in the city.