Lacson calls colleague 'Pecksniffian' amid public works graft allegations

Senator Ping Lacson shared on Wednesday, September 2, that he has been searching for an adjective to describe a colleague and has recently found the word: "PECKSNIFFIAN." He defined it as "smugly moralistic; someone who makes a show of being virtuous and holy while actually being pharisaical, self-serving, or sanctimonious." Lacson's post on X (formerly Twitter) has garnered significant engagement, with many users agreeing with the sentiment. He also shared the post on his Facebook page, labeling it "Word of the day: PECKSNIFFIAN." The senator's remark emerged amidst his intensive scrutiny of flood control projects and other initiatives in Taguig City, which is considered the political stronghold of the Cayetano family. Two Cayetano siblings, Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano, are currently serving in the Senate. Lacson has alleged that at least P3.713 billion in public funds may have been "wasted" on flood control and multipurpose projects located in reclamation areas facing Laguna de Bay in Taguig City. He further claimed that these figures do not include other "anomalous" slope protection and flood mitigation projects along the Taguig River, which he suspects involve double appropriations and "ghost" projects using recycled photographs for billing purposes. This revelation comes as Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed that his agency had issued cease-and-desist orders against land reclamation projects in Taguig City, following a directive from the president. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, however, accused Lacson of orchestrating a "demolition job" and being on a "witch hunt" to "confuse" people regarding Taguig's supposed development. In a sharp retort, Lacson called Cayetano "pathetic," asserting that his colleague was "quaking in his boots' every time each piece of evidence of corruption in his turf unfolds before his eyes." Earlier, on August 26, Lacson had shared photos of documents from the Department of Public Works and Highways related to "Taguig City case studies," which were reportedly being forwarded to the Ombudsman.