DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has launched an investigation into a Taguig City infrastructure project whose geotagged progress photos were recorded roughly 600 kilometers away in Leyte province.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed the ongoing probe, clarifying that authorities have yet to reach a final verdict regarding the project linked to the Discaya family.
The inquiry stems from concerns raised by Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who challenged Dizon’s earlier statement during a Senate budget hearing asserting the absence of “ghost projects” in Taguig City—a known political stronghold of Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and Senator Pia Cayetano.
Addressing media inquiries in Davao City, Dizon acknowledged the discrepancies flagged in the project documentation:
“Kaya nagpapasalamat din ako kay Sen. Ping, binring up niya. Mayroong nakita doon na in 3 cases, yung isang project noong 2022 sa Taguig na ang contractor ay St. Timothy, Discaya company yon, mayroong tatlong case na ang coordinates ay yung coprdinates ay hindi sa Taguig, nasa Leyte,” Dizon said.
“Yun ay finlag doon sa report. At yun ay kasama sa continuing investigation na nakikipagtulungan ang Ombudsman at DPWH. At yun ay na-submit na. So tuloy tuloy pa rin yon at hintayin natin ang final. Kasi kailangan yan i-validate, kailangan yan ibangga sa iba’t ibang dokumento at i-verify onsite,” he added.
The 2022 Taguig project was handled by St. Timothy Construction Corporation, an entity under the Discaya group. The findings have been submitted as part of a joint investigation between the DPWH and the Office of the Ombudsman.
Senator Alan Peter has denied any irregularities in Taguig City infrastructure developments, where his wife, Lani Cayetano, serves as city mayor.
Cayetano dismissed the allegations, accusing the former police chief of orchestrating a political smear campaign.