Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has declined an invitation from Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano to visit Taguig City and personally inspect the city’s flood control projects. The refusal follows allegations by Lacson regarding anomalous infrastructure projects in the city, which is the political bailiwick of the Cayetanos.
Lacson Rejects Taguig Flood Project Visit Amid P14.4B Graft Allegations
In a social media post on Sunday, Lacson responded to the invitation by stating, Maybe next time when the flood control program in Taguig has been fixed. It’s been a while since I practiced swimming; I might drown in floodwater. Lol
according to Inquirer.
Allegations of Ghost Projects and Plunder
The dispute centers on claims made by Lacson regarding infrastructure spending in Taguig. Lacson stated that between 2020 and 2025, the city accumulated P14.4 billion worth of infrastructure projects. He further alleged that kickbacks for Department of Public Works and Highways projects in Taguig reached as much as 33% per project, a scheme he claims forced contractors to deliver substandard or ghost
projects, as reported by gmanetwork.com.
On July 28, Lacson announced that he had turned over evidence gathered by his office to the Office of the Ombudsman. He indicated that this evidence, which includes a supposed money trail, may be sufficient to support cases for graft, malversation, and plunder against those responsible. Lacson also claimed that Cayetano had inserted these alleged ghost infrastructure projects into the 2025 national budget.
Cayetano’s Defense and Counterclaims
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has repeatedly denied the accusations. During a Facebook livestream, Cayetano extended the invitation to Lacson, his staff, and the general public to visit the sites, arguing that seeing the projects in person is different from viewing them on paper or in pictures. Look at the budget, go to the place and you will see that the project is really there and it is beautiful
Cayetano said, according to Inquirer.
Cayetano asserted that to the best of his knowledge, there are no ghost projects in Taguig, though he acknowledged there may be technical matters that require explanation. He expressed readiness to answer all allegations and called for similar investigations into projects in other Metro Manila cities. Lani Cayetano, the senator’s wife, is the incumbent mayor of Taguig.
Political Tension and “Truth” Dispute
The exchange has escalated into a war of words. In response to Lacson’s comment about drowning in floodwater, Cayetano stated that Lacson won’t drown in floods in Taguig—you’ll drown in truth
and added that when you keep telling lies, it is the truth that ends up drowning you
as reported by manilastandard.net.
Cayetano further characterized the continued criticism from Lacson as an attempt to distract from major legislative investigations and an ongoing impeachment trial. He also remarked that he once admired Lacson and hoped the senator would return to his old stance of fighting for the truth
.
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