Lacson rejects 'ceasefire' offer over Taguig flood control anomalies

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson has rejected the alleged ceasefire offer of an individual following his exposé on the alleged anomalies in flood control projects in Taguig City. “CEASEFIRE MY FOOT! Anong uri ng tao ang magde-declare ng giyera, toy gun ang dala, at laway ang bala; 'pag na-confront ng bomba, magre-request ng ceasefire, pabulong pa?” Lacson said in a social media post on July 30. However, Lacson did not identify the person who allegedly called for a ceasefire. The move follows the submission of documents and witness testimonies to the Ombudsman regarding alleged irregularities in Taguig infrastructure projects, including double-billing. Lacson linked these findings to Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, whose wife, Lani, serves as Taguig mayor. While Cayetano denied the existence of "ghost" projects and urged probes into other Metro Manila cities, Lacson pointed to several incomplete local developments and said he is building a stronger case to prove Cayetano's involvement. In his submission to the Ombudsman, Lacson alleged that the Taguig projects involved old and new tactics dating back to 2019, including illegal reclamation projects allegedly disguised as slope protection structures, ghost projects, double appropriations, and the use of recycled photos from past contracts to bill for new ones. He also alleged that the scheme was orchestrated by a single individual, but he did not identify the person in the statement. His office estimated that Taguig accumulated around P14.4 billion worth of infrastructure projects from 2020 to 2025, with the amount expected to increase as more records are reviewed. The tension escalated after Cayetano called Sen. Erwin Tulfo a "lapdog" of Lacson. Cayetano, who is allied with two senators facing plunder charges, also questioned the integrity of the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth of Tulfo and Lacson. Source: Philstar Nation