Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson stated on Saturday, July 18, that official actions against alleged corruption in controversial flood control projects have fallen short, one year after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his sharp “Mahiya naman kayo” warning during his 2025 State of the Nation Address.
Lacson asserted that the drive for accountability would be practically nonexistent if not for the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation he headed, the resolve of Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, and the persistent watchfulness of the press and the public.
”Tinimbang ngunit kulang. It was measured but found lacking. Without sounding immodest or arrogant, if not for the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation during my watch, which was preceded by my two privilege speeches, where we unearthed material pieces of evidence, both documentary and testimonial; and without the firm determination and resoluteness of Ombudsman Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla, I don’t know how the government can even claim whatever accomplishments we have at the moment, or one year after that SONA ‘Mahiya naman kayo’ remark,” he said.
The lawmaker also highlighted the vital role played by reporters and digital communities in keeping the issue in the spotlight and fostering public intolerance toward the mishandling of state funds.
”The media and netizens should also be credited for generating public anger and awareness that abuse of public funds cannot anymore be taken for granted, as exemplified by the Trillion Peso March and other related activities,” he added.
Furthermore, Lacson stood by the performance of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, countering detractors and dismissing pushback as politically charged maneuvers, while maintaining that the panel was crucial in driving the anti-graft campaign forward.
”Despite the usual criticisms and obvious politically motivated acts, I will stand firm on the BRC’s role in whatever accomplishments we have,” he said.
The controversy was first brought to light by Lacson in August 2025 during a privilege speech exposing non-existent and anomalous flood mitigation initiatives.
He followed up a month later with a second speech targeting a faction he dubbed the “BGC Boys,” accusing them of manipulating bureaucratic channels to execute the alleged scams.
By May, Lacson unveiled a committee progress report packed with documentation and policy recommendations intended to combat what he termed as “systemic, parasitic greed” embedded in the country’s flood control allocations.
The Senate panel ultimately turned over its gathered evidence and formal conclusions to the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman, prompting the filing of legal charges against multiple respondents.