Senator Lacson claims Taguig probe uncovers alleged illegal Laguna Lake reclamation

Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said his investigation into alleged anomalies in Taguig City has expanded beyond questionable infrastructure projects to include the illegal reclamation of portions of Laguna Lake, following a meeting with officials of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).

Lacson said the discussions with PRA officials on Monday evening validated his team's findings on what he described as irregularities involving ghost slope protection projects and unauthorized lakeshore reclamation.

"'MALULUNOD SA KATOTOHAHAN' ... Our Taguig City case study has opened a 'cauldron of worms' after my meeting with Philippine Reclamation Authority officials last night - from ghost slope protection projects to illegally reclaimed tracts of land covering Laguna Lake," he said on X.

The senator said his office would coordinate with the PRA, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), and other agencies to pursue criminal cases against those involved and seek the forfeiture of the reclaimed land.

"Aside from the PRA and the Ombudsman, we will closely coordinate with the DPWH central office, LLDA and other concerned agencies not only to jail the crooks behind these grossly anomalous and patently illegal activities but also forfeit the already reclaimed Lakeshore areas in favor of the national government. There is no turning back!" he added.

According to Lacson, PRA officials also corroborated allegations that former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano had used intimidation tactics during the November 2025 budget deliberations for the Office of the President, which oversees the PRA.

"The same officials likewise disclosed physical intimidation when they conducted on site inspection along C6 in the Lakeshore area where the illegal reclamation activities are taking place," he said.

Lacson had earlier alleged that reclamation work along Taguig's lakeshore proceeded without the necessary permits from agencies, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and that funds intended for slope protection projects were instead used to finance the reclamation activities.

He also claimed that individuals with knowledge of the projects were subjected to harassment and intimidation, particularly during committee hearings.

Last week, Lacson's team submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman evidence gathered from at least five case studies involving allegedly anomalous infrastructure projects in Taguig City.

The senator has alleged that the evidence indicates Cayetano exercised virtual control over DPWH operations in the city, with district engineers allegedly replaced if they acted without his approval, and points to a possible 33-percent kickback scheme in infrastructure projects. Cayetano has previously denied wrongdoing.