Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has leveled serious allegations against Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, accusing him of holding tight control over Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) operations in Taguig City and dictating decisions on local infrastructure projects.
According to Lacson, his investigative team uncovered a system where Taguig infrastructure contracts were predetermined for favored contractors, while district engineers were pressured to follow instructions from individuals linked to Cayetano.
He claimed that uncooperative district engineers were routinely replaced.
“Ang kalakaran sa Taguig virtually controlled ng isang tao. Walang makakagalaw doon na hindi alam ni Cayetano. Yan ang kalakaran,” Lacson asserted.
“Ilang palit na ang district engineers diyan. Halimbawa kapag sinamahan sa kanya ang bagong appointed district engineer, meron na siyang warning: Huwag mong pakialaman ang mga project dito. Pag hindi sumunod, totoo napapalitan. Ang isang DE, sinabihan ang pinalitan mo pinatanggal ko kasi di marunong sumunod,” he added.
Lacson countered Cayetano’s previous statements denying any irregularities in local flood-control projects, stating that gathered evidence and documents tell a very different story.
“Sabi niya walang flood control anomaly or ghost projects. Bahala siya, yan ang kanyang claim. Pero records and documents say otherwise,” Lacson said.
Beyond DPWH activities, Lacson alleged that corruption extends into Taguig City Hall, highlighting the case of a city government employee who reportedly lost ₱510 million in gambling between 2014 and 2026 while maintaining a personal bodyguard.
“Kung ang isang employee ng city hall sa 14 taon nakapagpatalo ng ₱510M paano na ang principal?” he questioned.
Citing previous Senate testimony from former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, Lacson detailed a 33% kickback scheme for Taguig projects: 10% for the “principal,” 2% for the “boys,” 6% for the Bids and Awards Committee, and 15% allegedly designated for former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
“That’s why nag-resort sila sa overlapping and ghost, or substandard. Saan babawi ang kontratista kung ganyan kalaki ang nawala sa lagayan?” Lacson explained.
“And they are at the mercy – sa Taguig pagbagsak ng funds, predetermined na sino ang contractor, dinidikta na,” he stated.
Lacson’s investigators examined five specific cases revealing potential fraud, including duplicate project photos used for payments, double-funded projects, and overlapping slope-protection works along the Taguig River that may have cost the government hundreds of millions of pesos.
Several contractors were linked to these projects, including firms owned by the Discayas, Eumir Villanueva’s Topnotch Catalyst Builders, Core Check, and Tuchar and Dahl.
With the support of DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon—who agreed to provide documents and evidence—Lacson confirmed the probe will eventually expand to areas outside Taguig, though not at Cayetano’s behest.
“To satisfy him, no. To satisfy the public, yes,” Lacson remarked.
“Kung ikaw, maraming issue sa katawan, huwag ka magbabato. Yan isang lesson diyan babalik sa iyo the binabato mo,” Lacson warned.
Supporting documents have been submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman.
Cayetano has consistently denied all allegations of irregularities, and the Ombudsman has yet to release findings on the matter.