Senator Lacson on Senator Cayetano’s foreign trip: ‘Not an issue for now’

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Thursday downplayed Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano’s recent trip abroad, saying there is no reason—for now—to make an issue out of it, even as Cayetano faces mounting state investigations into alleged irregularities.

Lacson suggested Cayetano should be allowed a respite from the pressure surrounding his ongoing controversies. He also extended well wishes to Cayetano and his wife, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, noting the trip might be health-related.

“This is not an issue as of the moment. Let’s let them take a break from the stress caused by issues that he himself created,” Lacson said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “For all we know, Sen. Alan and his wife’s trip has something to do with reproductive health, which Singapore is known for. If it is simply health-related, I sincerely wish him well despite our animosities.”

Photos circulated online Wednesday evening showing Cayetano lining up for a Singapore Airlines flight at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

Cayetano is currently under investigation by both the National Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Ombudsman regarding alleged graft and irregularities in the Philippines’ hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, during which he served as chairman of the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc).

In addition, the senator is under scrutiny over alleged anomalies in flood control infrastructure projects in Taguig City, his family’s political stronghold.

Lacson’s office recently submitted at least 45 case studies supported by official documents to the Office of the Ombudsman detailing alleged "systemic anomalies" in the Taguig flood control works, prompting the Ombudsman to launch a fact-finding probe. Lacson has consistently called for full accountability for any misuse of public funds tied to the projects.