Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing an investigation into alleged “ghost” infrastructure projects in Taguig City, stating that his team continues to follow up on leads even over the weekend.
Taguig is the political stronghold of Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, who has recently clashed with Lacson over alleged corruption in government infrastructure programs.
”Working on a weekend. Today, a Saturday, we haven’t slowed down in following up the leads to maintain the momentum gained since we started investigating the anomalous slope protection and drainage projects in Taguig,” Lacson shared on social media.
”Our goal is to reach its logical conclusion,” he said.
Lacson, a veteran anti-corruption advocate, revealed that investigators have pinpointed at least two specific instances of suspected non-existent projects in Cayetano’s home turf. The inquiry has uncovered numerous slope protection and drainage initiatives—frequently valued at ₱100 million each—with combined costs exceeding ₱2 billion.
These items were reportedly part of ₱6.79 billion worth of insertions in the 2025 General Appropriations Act.
Lacson emphasized that the evidence is mounting, pointing to potential plunder charges against those responsible given the scale of the alleged irregularities.
”Kung series of acts tapos ₱50 million, walang ibang mapupuntahan kundi plunder,” Lacson stated in a radio interview.
Comparing the growing controversy to the ₱50-million cauldron built for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games—which Cayetano oversaw as organizing committee head—Lacson described the probe as having reached the “shoot sa kaldero” stage.
He maintained that the investigation is driven purely by a mandate for public accountability rather than personal rift.
”This is not about friendship or personal fights. This is about accountability. Kung walang accountability bakit ko pipilitin?” Lacson added.