SEN. Panfilo Lacson on Thursday hit back at Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, who accused him of launching a demolition job, saying the latter is “quaking in his boots” as evidence on illegal reclamation and infrastructure activities in Taguig City emerges.
Lacson said that while Cayetano can make all the accusations he wants about the investigation being “politically motivated,” the evidence has spoken and is now with the Office of the Ombudsman.
“PATHETIC. Imagine someone ‘quacking’ on FB Live with accusations of politically motivated demolition job, fake news and trial by publicity and, at the same time, ‘quaking in his boots’ every time each piece of evidence of corruption in his turf unfolds before his eyes,” he added.
Lacson issued the statement after Cayetano claimed that the investigation into the projects in Taguig was politically motivated and accused the former of conducting a “demolition job” and “witch hunt” against him.
In a Facebook livestream on Wednesday, Cayetano said it was unfair to associate Taguig with allegations of irregularities, particularly concerning flood control projects.
“Yes, I am openly saying that Sen. Panfilo Lacson is carrying out a demolition job, a trial by publicity, and a witch hunt in Taguig City. I have no problem being accused. I am a public official,” Cayetano said.
“But he is linking all the projects to Taguig and to me, all the titles there. It’s not only unfair, but it’s just plain wrong. If he can’t convince people, he will try to confuse people,” he added.
Lacson, however, said the evidence gathered by his office had already been submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman, which is conducting a fact-finding investigation into the projects.
“We will continue our efforts without let up and support the Ombudsman in this regard,” he said.
Earlier, Lacson said at least P3.713 billion in public funds may have been wasted on projects along areas of Laguna Lake in Taguig City that are subject to government action over “illegal” reclamation.
He said these do not include other anomalous slope protection and flood mitigation projects along Taguig River involving double appropriations and “ghost” projects.
“We have sent many pieces of evidence to the Ombudsman, both testimonial and documentary — all sourced from official records of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippine Reclamation Authority, Land Registration Authority, General Appropriations Acts, etc. as advance copies of the pieces of evidence which will definitely help and guide the Ombudsman in issuing their ongoing fact-finding investigation, particularly in issuing subpoenas duces tecum and ad testificandum to the agencies and officials concerned,” he said.
