Cayetano invites Lacson to Taguig to see projects amid 'ghost project' claims

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano has invited Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson to visit Taguig City and see for himself the projects in the city amid the investigation into the alleged anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects in their bailiwick. Cayetano said that it's better to see what Taguig City looks like in person rather than what the paper or picture shows. "I will continue to invite, not only Senator Lacson, not only his staff, but everyone. Iba kasi 'yung sa papel, papel. Iba 'yung sa picture, picture. Tignan niyo 'yung budget. Pumunta kayo sa lugar. Makikita niyo na nandiyan talaga 'yung project at magaganda," said Cayetano in a Facebook live. (I will continue to invite, not only Senator Lacson, not only his staff, but everyone. Because what's on paper is just paper. What's in a picture is just a picture. Look at the budget, go to the site, and you'll see that the projects are actually there and well-made.) Lacson earlier alleged that kickbacks in Department of Public Works and Highways infrastructure projects in Taguig reached as much as 33% per project, claiming the scheme forced contractors to deliver substandard or even "ghost" projects. Lacson also said his camp has documented evidence, including a supposed money trail, that they have started submitting to the Office of the Ombudsman. The senator linked the alleged anomalies to Cayetano, who has already denied claims of ghost infrastructure projects in Taguig and called for similar investigations into projects in other Metro Manila cities. Cayetano’s wife, Lani Cayetano, is the incumbent mayor of Taguig. Moreover, Cayetano said that he is ready to answer all the allegations thrown at him. "Let me assure you na lahat ng allegations na binabato sa amin ay masasagot. Let me assure you na maayos dito sa Taguig. As I keep saying, to the best of my knowledge, walang ghost project dito," he said. (Let me assure you that every allegation thrown at us will be answered. Let me assure you that everything is in order here in Taguig. As I keep saying, to the best of my knowledge, there are no ghost projects here.) —KG, GMA News