By Wilnard Bacelonia
MANILA – Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman documentary and testimonial evidence on alleged irregularities in infrastructure projects in Taguig City, saying the records could support criminal charges against those responsible.
In a post on X, Lacson said the evidence included official records obtained from government websites and information supplied by sources, which he asked the Ombudsman to evaluate and investigate motu proprio.
“We are looking at cases of plunder, malversation, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” he said.
Lacson alleged that the questioned projects involved a mix of “old and new tricks,” including ghost projects, double appropriations, and the reuse of photographs from completed contracts to bill new projects.
He also cited an alleged illegal reclamation project presented as slope-protection structures, claiming the questioned transactions dated as far back as 2019 and were controlled by one person.
“For the period 2020-2025 alone, Taguig has accumulated PHP14.4 billion worth of infra(structure) projects and still counting,” Lacson said.
He described the alleged irregularities as different in scale and method from the questionable flood-control projects his team had earlier documented in Bulacan.
Lacson said his office would continue turning over additional evidence to support the Ombudsman’s investigation.
“We hope the excellent research and investigative work that my staff did in this regard won’t be wasted and will contribute to the Ombudsman’s efforts to expedite their investigation,” he said.
He added the inquiry was meant to establish accountability and not merely settle political differences.
The allegations and possible criminal liabilities remain subject to the Ombudsman’s independent evaluation and investigation. (PNA)
