Senator Cayetano hits Senator Lacson over alleged interference in flood control probe

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday accused Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson of exerting undue influence over government agencies investigating alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

During a Facebook livestream on September 29, Cayetano defended himself against questions surrounding Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon’s statements regarding alleged "ghost projects" in Taguig. In doing so, he accused Lacson of stepping outside his legislative boundary by steering executive investigations and agency actions.

“Si Senator (Ping) Lacson kasi ay Chief Justice Lacson, Prosecutor Lacson, DOJ (Department of Justice) Lacson, Secretary Lacson – siya na ang lahat. Siya na ang nagdidikta eh – sa LLDA (Laguna Lake Development Authority), Blue Ribbon Committee, DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), at PRA (Philippine Reclamation Authority). Kahit sila na mismo ang magsabi, babaguhin niya,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano’s remarks came after Lacson questioned Dizon’s initial assessment that no ghost projects existed in Taguig. Lacson cautioned against reaching premature conclusions, noting that the projects remained under active investigation.

Rejecting allegations that his relationship with Dizon influenced the Department of Public Works and Highways' initial findings, Cayetano emphasized that Lacson maintains a similarly close connection with the DPWH chief.

“Nilagyan kaagad ng kulay at malisya na dahil malapit ako kay Secretary Vince Dizon ay parang niluto namin o niya o kaming dalawa y’ung sinabing walang ghost project sa Taguig. So unang-una, lilinawin ko po iyon – si Senator Ping Lacson po ay malapit na malapit kay Secretary Dizon,” Cayetano stated.

Cayetano further questioned why Lacson appeared to have direct access to investigation reports, claiming he had received no documents himself despite Dizon's assertions of transparency.

“Eh ako, ni isang papel, hindi binigyan ni Secretary Dizon ng kopya. Pero sabi niya, open daw sa lahat,” he said.

He also attributed political motives to Lacson’s scrutiny, pointing to the senator's reported presidential ambitions and personal animosity.

“May ambisyon talaga siya maging Presidente at galit talaga siya sa akin kasi nga, nung natanggal sila (sa posisyon), naapektuhan ang plano niya. Pero ang hindi niya alam, even before that, nag-erode na ang public trust sa kanya kasi may pinipili lang (na imbestigahan),” Cayetano added.

Cayetano went on to allege that Lacson had repeatedly threatened to incarcerate him over the Taguig project controversies.

“Covertly, sinabi na ni Senator Lacson iyan, paulit-ulit na sabi niya, 'pakukulong ko iyan.' He said it in different ways… Basta't kay Senator Lacson, basta't nangyari sa Taguig, automatic si Alan Cayetano may kasalanan,” he claimed.

Wrapping up his livestream, Cayetano urged that the investigation follow President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to pursue accountability strictly and fairly.

“Kapag sinabi mong walang sasantuhin, that goes both ways. That means no one guilty will be left behind. So kapag guilty iyan, ituro mo kahit gaanong kalapit sa Pangulo. Pero it also means that if someone is innocent, hindi mo sasabihin na guilty siya,” Cayetano noted.

Responding on Wednesday to Cayetano’s labels calling him a “Chief Justice” and “Prosecutor,” Lacson remarked that he would take the characterization as a compliment if it came from a credible source. He added that his efforts remain squarely focused on asking critical questions and gathering evidence on alleged irregularities.