Lacson Presents Evidence of Alleged Double Billing, Collection in Taguig Infra Projects

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Sunday revealed new evidence of alleged double billing and collection involving infrastructure projects in Taguig City. In a statement, Lacson said one case involved two supposedly different projects that shared the same photo for billing purposes. Meanwhile, another case involved a single slope protection project that received two separate budget appropriations. "Two different projects, two distinct appropriations, two different technical descriptions and locations, two different contractors, but sharing the same photo for billing purposes. Status: both billed and collected," Lacson said in a social media post, referring to the first case. "(The second case involves) one slope protection project, one location, one technical description, two separate budget appropriations. Status: both billed and collected. Are these not criminal acts?" he added. Lacson linked the findings to Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who refuted claims of ghost infrastructure projects in Taguig City and called for an investigation in other cities in Metro Manila. Incidentally, Cayetano's wife, Lani, is the current mayor of Taguig. "The full details and pieces of evidence will be turned over to the Ombudsman or presented during the Blue Ribbon Committee hearings when called," Lacson said on Sunday. GMA News Online has reached out to Cayetano for comment and will update this story as soon as he responds. Lacson further said that those who know they are innocent should not fear defending their integrity and should confront their accusers on equal terms. Lacson, a former chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, had also accused Cayetano of securing budget insertions amounting to P6.79 billion. Several projects in Taguig were also allegedly left unfinished, Lacson said. In a later statement, Lacson said he was gathering enough witnesses and evidence that could show Cayetano's involvement in the alleged corruption. —RF, GMA News