By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Sunday firmly denied allegations that Taguig City has ghost flood control projects, insisting that previous reviews found no fictitious infrastructure and urging Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson to broaden any corruption investigation instead of focusing solely on the city.
Responding to Lacson’s accusations during a Facebook livestream, Cayetano said every government-funded flood control project in Taguig could be physically verified, dismissing claims that public funds had been spent on nonexistent works.
The senator maintained that earlier findings by the Office of the Ombudsman, as well as a separate review conducted by his office, showed no evidence of ghost projects in Taguig.
“If anyone can prove otherwise, those responsible should be held accountable,” Cayetano said, adding that government expenditures could be matched with completed infrastructure on the ground.
Cayetano argued that any Senate inquiry into flood control spending should not be limited to Taguig but should also cover other highly urbanized cities, including Quezon City, Makati, Mandaluyong and Parañaque, to ensure fairness and impartiality.
He clarified that he was not accusing those local government units of wrongdoing, but questioned why Taguig had become the primary focus of Lacson’s allegations.
The senator also criticized Lacson’s statement that he belongs in jail over alleged corruption, saying investigations should be based on evidence rather than personal attacks or political differences.
The latest exchange further escalated the increasingly bitter feud between the two lawmakers, who have traded accusations in recent days over alleged corruption, unexplained wealth, and budget insertions.
Lacson earlier claimed that evidence and witness testimonies would eventually expose alleged irregularities involving Taguig projects, while also accusing Cayetano of benefiting from billions of pesos in purported budget insertions under the 2025 national budget.
Cayetano has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that he welcomes any legitimate investigation conducted fairly and without political bias.
The controversy is expected to draw renewed attention once the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee begins deliberations on alleged anomalies involving flood control projects.
ia/xf
