MANILA, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano has accused Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson of threatening contractors with plunder charges to pressure them into signing affidavits concerning alleged irregularities in projects along the Laguna Lakeshore area in Taguig City.
In a Facebook livestream on Saturday, Cayetano claimed that six contractors were involved in the controversy. Four refused to sign the affidavits and two agreed to do so.
He alleged that Lacson warned the four holdouts they could face plunder charges if they did not sign.
“Sen. Lacson once said, ‘There are six of you contractors. Four of you refused to sign, while two signed. If the four of you do not sign, you will be charged with plunder,’” Cayetano said.
“Who wouldn’t be afraid of plunder charges now, especially given the people Sen. Lacson has been pointing to?” he added.
Cayetano said several people had approached him, claiming they felt caught in the middle of the pressure.
He alleged that Lacson, his staff and lawyers associated with them had prepared affidavits and were pressuring some contractors to sign the documents.
He did not identify the contractors.
“If there is nothing wrong, why would you sign? They are being threatened, and there are consequences,” Cayetano said.
“Not everyone has the courage, stamina, patience or guts to stand up for what is right, especially when going up against very high-ranking officials in this highly charged atmosphere. But having said that, how can our country change?” he added.
The senator linked the dispute to the broader investigations into alleged irregularities in government infrastructure and flood control projects.
Cayetano cited Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, who earlier said that there were no ghost projects in the Laguna Lakeshore area of Taguig.
He also questioned the activities of the Laguna Lake Development Authority and the Public Reclamation Authority in areas along the lake in Rizal and Laguna, contrasting them with projects in Taguig.
Cayetano urged government personnel involved in the controversy to focus on evidence and their responsibilities rather than take sides.
“This is not about following Senator Lacson or Senator Alan. No. Do what is right,” he said.
Lacson has yet to respond to Cayetano’s latest allegations.
In an earlier statement, Lacson said anomalies he found in flood control projects last year prompted him to dig deeper, eventually leading him to deliver two privilege speeches on alleged corruption involving projects in Bulacan and Oriental Mindoro.
As chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee at the time, Lacson said hearings uncovered additional evidence that eventually led to cases against several individuals.
He said he would continue to answer Cayetano’s allegations with documents and other evidence.
“I’m just responding. Whenever he speaks, I respond with the receipts," he said.
