Lacson: At least 2 case studies so far for Taguig 'ghost projects'

Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson revealed on Wednesday that they have documented at least two case studies of alleged "ghost projects" in Taguig City. "We have documented at least 2 case studies so far. Too many P100M slope protection and drainage projects totaling P2.085B out of the P6.79B insertions under the 2025 GAA," Lacson said on X, emphasizing that "there is no turning back." Earlier on Monday, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced it has started its investigation into flood control projects in Taguig City. However, the Department of Justice (DOJ) clarified that it did not order the NBI to conduct the probe. NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau is already looking into 11 flood control projects implemented in 2022 that were allegedly linked to some of the country's top 15 contractors. Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Frederick Vida stressed that the NBI's investigation was under its own mandate and not directed by the DOJ. He also stated that ongoing investigations by other agencies should not be viewed as a distraction for senators. Over the weekend, Senate Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) chairperson Senator Erwin Tulfo told fellow Senator Alan Peter Cayetano to be ready for an investigation into Taguig's flood control projects. Cayetano's brother, Lino Cayetano, who served as city mayor from 2019 to 2022 (and is now PTV general manager), had sought an investigation into approximately P6 billion worth of flood control projects implemented in Taguig from 2022 to 2025. Tulfo said that once the BRC resumes its hearings, the committee will invite Lino Cayetano and other resource persons to participate in the investigation into alleged ghost flood control projects in Taguig City. Alan Peter Cayetano has denied the allegations, asserting that to the best of his knowledge, there were no ghost flood control projects in Taguig. In a Facebook Live broadcast, he said, "I can also assure you that there are no ghost flood control projects in Taguig, to the best of my knowledge. Inspections have been conducted several times." Furthermore, Cayetano called for an investigation into flood control projects in other cities, not just Taguig, challenging Lacson to show that he was not singling out a specific individual. "I'm not saying there are problems in those cities. What I'm saying is that Senator Lacson should show that he is not singling out just one person," he said, adding, "How did we end up there? Just because you don't like someone, you already want to put them in jail?" Source: GMA News Philippines