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(Top) Senators Erwin Tulfo and Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson during a past Blue Ribbon committee public hearing on the flood control scandal. (Bottom) PTV General Manager Lino Cayetano and Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano. (Courtesy: Office of Sen. Ping Lacson / PTV / Senate of the Philippines)
Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano’s brother Lino weighed in on allegations of “ghost projects” in Taguig City and asked the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to include these in its hearings as it resumes its probe into anomalous flood control projects on July 27.
Blue Ribbon chairman Senator Erwin Tulfo said the committee would invite People’s Television (PTV) Network general manager Lino Cayetano after the latter sought an investigation into Taguig flood control projects undertaken from 2022 to 2025.
“Senator Cayetano is now in a more difficult position because there are allegations involving flood control projects in Taguig. His younger brother is willing to testify,” Tulfo said.
“He should probably prepare for that because it is his own brother who is calling for an investigation,” Tulfo added.
Senator Cayetano on Sunday denied the allegations of ghost projects in his hometown.
“There are no ghost projects in Taguig, and if you can show any, someone will be held accountable,” Cayetano said, adding that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should visually document flood control projects nationwide.
Gathering witnesses
Senator Panfilo Lacson, for his part, said he is gathering informants and witnesses who could provide evidence against Senator Cayetano after the latter questioned the increase in the senator’s declared wealth and accused him of compromising his integrity.
“My integrity is my first and last line of defense and I will fight to defend it with all my might. Sen. Cayetano has crossed the line by attacking it,” Lacson said in a post on X.
“As of this morning, I’m still counting informants and witnesses, directly or through intermediaries, willing to provide information and evidence to put him in his proper place—the Payatas, QC jail,” he added.
The exchange stemmed from Cayetano’s Facebook Live broadcasts over the weekend, during which he questioned the increase in Lacson’s net worth between his 2022 and 2025 Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs).
Cayetano also questioned the SALN of Tulfo.
Lacson denied any wrongdoing, saying his wealth increased only after he left government service in 2022 through legitimate private business activities reflected in his income tax returns.
“I’ve tasted power and I know how to handle power through personal experience. Hindi ako abusado at hindi ako corrupt na government official (I am neither abusive nor corrupt),” he said.
He also accused Cayetano of securing P6.79 billion in budget insertions under the 2025 General Appropriations Act and alleged the existence of ghost flood control projects in Taguig.
In a separate Facebook Live broadcast, Cayetano said he was not questioning Lacson’s personal integrity.
“Hindi po ako ang nag-question ng integrity niya. Buong bayan ang nag-question ng integrity ‘nung tumigil siya mag-imbestiga ‘nung pagdating na doon sa Bersamin files. Maraming pag-uusapan diyan. Marami pang ibang ebidensya na pwedeng sundin,” he said.
(I am not the one questioning his integrity. The entire nation questioned his integrity when he stopped the investigation after it reached the Bersamin files. There is much more to discuss, and there is additional evidence that can still be pursued.)
Blue Ribbon probe
Tulfo said the Blue Ribbon Committee would resume its probe into the alleged flood control anomalies once its membership is formalized on July 27.
Tulfo added the committee would also study documents Lacson has said he would submit on the alleged anomalies, while cases already under investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman would remain with the agency unless new developments emerge.
Cayetano questioned why the allegations were focused solely on Taguig, saying flood control issues also exist in Manila and Quezon City.
He accused Lacson of seeking media attention and pursuing a political agenda.
“You want to cement all these issues just so you can be the star. I am not trying to steal the spotlight. As for Senator Marcoleta, we know what you did behind the scenes, building up the case, which wasn’t even your job. We have been together for a long time, and I also know the people who give to you during elections,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano also reiterated that there were no ghost flood control projects in Taguig.
“I can also assure you, to the best of my knowledge, that there are no ghost flood control projects in Taguig. The projects have been inspected several times,” he said.
Remulla: Law firm interfering with Ombudsman
In a related development, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said he is considering filing charges against a law firm for allegedly covering up information for a respondent tagged in the flood control scandal.
Remulla warned the law office involved during his radio program on Saturday, “Do not commit a crime while practicing your law because you will be an accessory to the crime.”
Remulla accused the law firm, which he did not identify, of delaying the investigation conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman against the person allegedly involved in the flood control scandal.
“A law office has been trying to fabricate a beneficial interest in some of the properties that are now under discussion and investigation. They are covering it up,” Remulla said.
Whenever such fabrications are made, Remulla assured, “We will uncover them. We will find them.”
Once that happens, the Ombudsman declared, “We will include those who fabricated them in the case.”
— Ram Superable with Rex Espiritu
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Credit belongs to: www.manilastandard.net
