Senator Lacson says action on flood control corruption 'wanting' a year after Marcos' SONA challenge

Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said the government's efforts to address corruption in anomalous flood control projects remain inadequate a year after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. challenged officials with his "Mahiya naman kayo" remark during his State of the Nation Address.

Lacson argued that the progress made so far would have been limited without the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's investigation, the Ombudsman's actions, and sustained public pressure from the media and citizens.

"Tinimbang nguni't kulang. Without sounding immodest or arrogant, if not for the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation during my watch, which was preceded by my two privilege speeches, where we unearthed material pieces of evidence, both documentary and testimonial; and without the firm determination and resoluteness of Ombudsman Jesus Crispin 'Boying' Remulla, I don’t know how the government can even claim whatever accomplishments we have at the moment, or one year after that SONA 'Mahiya naman kayo' remark," he said.

"The media and netizens should also be credited for generating public anger and awareness that abuse of public funds cannot anymore be taken for granted, as exemplified by the Trillion Peso March and other related activities," he added.

"Despite the usual criticisms and obvious politically motivated acts, I will stand firm on the BRC’s role in whatever accomplishments we have," he said.

Lacson recalled that he first exposed alleged irregularities in flood control projects through a privilege speech in August 2025, followed by another speech the next month detailing how a group he referred to as the "BGC Boys" allegedly manipulated government procedures to facilitate the anomalies.

In May, he presented the Blue Ribbon Committee chairman's progress report, which contained evidence and recommendations targeting what he described as "systemic, parasitic greed" behind anomalous flood control projects.

The committee has since transmitted its findings and evidence to the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice, which has filed charges against several individuals implicated in the alleged anomalies.