Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday, September 18, urged Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson to apply the same level of scrutiny he has directed at flood control projects in Taguig City to other areas across the country.
Cayetano made the appeal during a social media livestream, where he raised concerns about what he described as the possibility of selective justice in the investigation of alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
“Eto challenge kay Senator Lacson: Kung paano mo hinihimay ang Taguig, pumili ka ng dalawa, tatlong lugar pa na iba. Ganun din ang himay mo para hindi sabihin na selective justice,” Cayetano said.
He said an anti-corruption campaign should examine flood control projects across different districts rather than focus on areas associated with particular political figures.
“If you’re saying you’re fighting corruption, sige, let’s see it. Ang daming distrito sa buong Pilipinas. Hindi lang naman siguro Davao at saka Taguig ang meron flood control projects. ‘di ba?” he said.
Cayetano also defended Taguig’s flood mitigation efforts, citing improvements in areas that previously experienced widespread and prolonged flooding.
While acknowledging that flash floods still occur in some parts of the city, he said the overall flooding situation has improved.
“Taguig is very successful. Dati, one-third ng Taguig or more binabaha. Ngayon, may pa-isa, dalawa, tatlong flash flood in certain areas, pero hindi na binabaha y’ung one-third ng Taguig. Nagwo-work y’ung flood control,” he said.
The minority leader clarified that his remarks were not intended to question Lacson’s anti-corruption efforts but to call for a broader examination of flood control projects nationwide.
Cayetano said he would continue discussing flood control and corruption in his succeeding livestreams.
He also plans to raise the need to review regulations governing construction in areas considered unsuitable for development and to emphasize rural development amid rapid urbanization.
He further called on public officials to concentrate on addressing national concerns instead of allowing political disputes to worsen existing problems.
“Nariyan tayo i-solve ang problema, hindi palakihin y’ung problema,” he said.
The latest exchange follows Lacson’s submission of at least 45 case studies, accompanied by official documents, to the Office of the Ombudsman concerning alleged irregularities in flood control infrastructure projects in Taguig. The Ombudsman has since initiated a fact-finding investigation into the allegations.
Lacson’s team has also submitted additional documentary and testimonial evidence concerning alleged reclamation and infrastructure activities in Taguig. His office has said the case studies include alleged billing irregularities, questionable project classifications and other suspected anomalies.
The Ombudsman investigation remains ongoing, with the allegations and supporting evidence subject to further evaluation by the anti-graft agency.