DPWH to Aid Lacson-Initiated Probe into Taguig Flood Control Projects Amid Graft Allegations

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Thursday the agency will turn over any necessary documents to assist in the probe initiated by Senator Panfilo Lacson regarding flood control projects in Taguig City. Interviewed on Balitanghali, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said he was aware that Lacson already submitted related evidence to the Office of the Ombudsman. The senator has linked his findings to Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who in term has accused him of doubling his net worth while being a lawmaker. "Ang Ombudsman po at ang DPWH ay tuloy-tuloy naman ang pag-uusap. Kapag may kailangan na dokumento para madagdagan ang ebidensya, 'yan po ay tuloy-tuloy namin ibinibigay sa ating Ombudsman, whether 'yan ay sa Taguig o saan man na bahagi ng Pilipinas," Dizon said. (The Ombudsman and the DPWH are continuously communicating. If there are documents that need to be added as evidence, we will continue to give that to the Ombudsman, whether it is in Taguig or any part of the Philippines.) Lacson, the former Blue Ribbon committee chair, did not take Cayetano's allegations lightly, accusing Cayetano of initiating P6.7 billion worth of budget insertions. EXPLAINER: What happened in the 2019 SEA Games controversy In recent days, Lacson said he has gathered witnesses and evidence to prove that there were ghost projects in Taguig City, the bailiwick of the Cayetanos. The flood control scam has already implicated several lawmakers and officials, with senators Jinggoy Estrada and former senator Bong Revilla currently detained while legal proceedings take place. Dizon said more than 40 people have been charged in relation to the flood control scam. On top of possibly being linked to the flood control scandal, Cayetano is also being implicated to the controversial 2019 Southeast Asia Games (SEA) sports complex in New Clark City, Tarlac. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recently reopened its probe into the sports facility, which was allegedly overpriced. Cayetano was the chairman of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) at the time, while Dizon was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority. Asked about the SEA Games facilities, Dizon called them "world-class" as he denied that it was overpriced. Dizon previously faced graft and malversation cases in relation to the 2019 SEA Games facilities, but was cleared by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2021 "due to lack of evidence.' Meanwhile, Cayetano was criticized but never formally charged after being cleared by former president Rodrigo Duterte. — VDV, GMA News