MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo Lacson’s team submitted at least 45 case studies on alleged anomalies in flood control projects in Taguig to the Office of the Ombudsman, citing official records that it said indicate irregularities in the projects.
Lacson’s camp said Saturday that the documents detail alleged billing irregularities, questionable project classifications and other issues involving flood control projects in Taguig, the political bailiwick of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.
The team said some case studies involve contractors who allegedly used duplicate or altered photographs across different projects to show supposed progress and support payment claims.
The documents also allegedly show cases in which land reclamation activities received classification as flood control projects.
Lacson’s team cited two projects along the Taguig River that one contractor built in consecutive years but that appeared to overlap in the same location.
In another case, the team said project records lacked supporting documents. It also cited a project that allegedly received full payment through fabricated billing documents for a structure that did not exist at the time and stood on allegedly illegally reclaimed land.
Cayetano has criticized Lacson’s investigation, calling it a “witch hunt,” “demolition job” and “striptease.” He said accusations do not constitute evidence and accused Lacson of conducting a trial through publicity.
Lacson responded on social media that the investigation had uncovered alleged “ghost” slope protection and flood mitigation projects along the Taguig River.
He said investigators need to conduct the probe in a deliberate and methodical manner because of the complexity of the alleged corruption cases.
The Ombudsman has reviewed documents from Lacson’s team and launched a fact-finding investigation.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla also said investigators encountered resistance from Taguig City Hall personnel while conducting field work. He said city personnel prevented investigators from operating a drone to take photographs and also confronted a police officer assigned to assist the Ombudsman team.
Meanwhile, Cayetano called for a national dialogue on flooding and urged the government to develop a comprehensive strategy that connects flood control infrastructure with urban planning, rural development and accountability.
Several parts of the country have experienced flooding following recent rainfall from the southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones.
