TAGUIG CITY, Philippines — The local government of Taguig denied involvement in alleged illegal reclamation activities along the Laguna Lake area following an on-site inspection video posted by Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.
In an official statement released Saturday, October 3, the city government clarified that the property shown in Lacson’s video is not owned, possessed, or utilized by Taguig City. The local government noted that the site is currently claimed by private individuals and a local neighborhood association.
Taguig officials stressed that the city “did not issue any permit or authority” for the activities conducted on the property.
The response came after Lacson posted footage from a joint inspection involving the Office of the Ombudsman, the Philippine Reclamation Authority, the Land Registration Authority, and the Department of Public Works and Highways.
”Paging DENR and LLDA,” Lacson wrote in his caption, alleging that “illegal reclamation” continues on the Taguig side of Laguna Lake.
”If this isn’t a total display of impunity and disrespect for the law, I don’t know what is,” Lacson added.
”Tuloy-tuloy ang illegal reclamation sa Taguig side ng Laguna Lake. Somebody feels he is above the law,” the senator said.
Taguig accused Lacson of spreading a “misleading narrative” by linking the city government to the private property. The city urged the public to rely on official records and verified facts when assessing the claims.
While expressing support for anti-graft initiatives, the city government emphasized that allegations must be backed by evidence.
”Let us pursue the truth, uphold the rule of law, and hold accountable those who may have committed wrongdoing,” Taguig stated.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano addressed related inquiries regarding alleged anomalous infrastructure projects in the city, which is led by his wife, Mayor Lani Cayetano.
In a livestream on Friday, October 2, Cayetano expressed willingness to cooperate with investigating agencies, including the Office of the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice, and the National Bureau of Investigation, while calling for fair treatment and due process.
”Dapat masunod yan… Imbestigahan ninyo kasi karapatan ninyo yan. That’s why I say I respect all the ongoing investigation,” Cayetano said.
”We believe in the law. Abogado ako. I took an oath to uphold the Constitution and to follow the law. But the investigation has to be fair,” he added.