SEN. Panfilo Lacson stressed the need for a methodical and thorough investigation of anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects as he rejected Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano's characterization of the probe as a "striptease" without evidence.
Lacson said Cayetano's remarks only exposed his ignorance of how investigations into complex corruption cases, including those involving infrastructure projects in Taguig City, are conducted.
"It must be deliberate, methodical and thorough; not hasty or sloppy," he said on a social media post.
Lacson and his team have submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman at least 45 case studies backed by official documents detailing “systemic anomalies” in flood control infrastructure projects.
The Office of the Ombudsman has since launched a fact-finding investigation into the allegations involving the projects in Taguig.
In a Facebook livestream on Friday, Cayetano reacted to Lacson’s comment that his office’s investigation into reclamation projects was making the minority leader “quake while quacking.”
“Every day for the last three months, it’s like a striptease, but there’s no real evidence. Just constant accusations,” Cayetano said, referring to Lacson’s revelations against him.
Cayetano maintained that there were no ghost projects in Taguig and accused his colleague of “making up a story.”
He also dared the senator to end the “trial by publicity” by allowing the Office of the Ombudsman to do its job.
The senator also said he could answer Lacson’s allegations point by point but chose to focus on the urgent needs of flood victims and other Filipinos.
“How can I talk about Taguig, the defense, and all of this, seeing that there’s so much suffering going on?” Cayetano said.
He assured the public that he is cooperating “one hundred percent” with the Ombudsman but stressed that investigations must follow the proper process.
“No one is above the law. We welcome an honest-to-goodness, fair investigation,” he said.
He also expressed confidence that the investigation would not only clear him but would reveal Lacson’s motive for repeatedly attacking him.
