Lacson hints anew at more ‘damning evidence’ in Taguig infra projects

Sen. Panfilo Lacson listens as National Bureau of Investigation chief Melvin Matibag takes the witness stand for the continuation of his cross-examination on Day 9 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on July 22, 2026. — Photo by Niño Jesus Orbeta | INQUIRER MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Friday hinted anew at uncovering more “damning evidence” in his investigation into alleged anomalous infrastructure projects in Taguig City, declaring that the “list lengthens” and the “case strengthens.” Lacson’s scrutiny of infrastructure projects in Taguig, the political bailiwick of Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, emerged amid an escalating public feud between the two senators. Cayetano, whose wife Lani Cayetano is Taguig’s mayor, has since denied the existence of ghost projects in the city and challenged Lacson to produce evidence to back his allegations and to also investigate other areas instead of singling out Taguig. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Cayetano-Matibag spat revives ‘kaldero’ issue In a post on X, Lacson appeared to tease further findings but did not provide details. “TAGUIG GHOST INFRA PROJECTS UPDATE #3: There is too much damning (evidence). The plot thickens. The list lengthens. The case strengthens,” Lacson said. “If there’s such a thing as ‘shooting into a bucket,’ there’s also ‘SHOOTING INTO THE COOKING POT,’” he added. Lacson’s remark came amid renewed scrutiny of the controversial cauldron built for the Philippines’ hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it would revisit issues that hounded the SEA Games organizing body then headed by Cayetano. Article continues after this advertisement NBI Director Melvin Matibag, who also had heated public exchanges with Cayetano, earlier said it would also examine the cauldron that was dubbed the “P50-million kaldero” (cooking pot) after then-Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon questioned its cost during budget deliberations in 2019. The NBI said the planned investigation was prompted by newly obtained documents and was not directed at the senator. Article continues after this advertisement Lacson’s latest post also came after he flagged what he described as a possible “double appropriation” involving two P100-million allocations that appeared to cover the same slope protection project in Taguig City. “One of the two must be ghost,” Lacson said in an earlier post. Lacson said his team had found three additional P100-million slope protection projects under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, raising the total value of the Taguig projects being scrutinized from P2.085 billion to P2.385 billion. He earlier said his team had documented at least two case studies involving suspected “ghost” infrastructure projects in Taguig. READ: Senate panel to review Lacson’s findings on Taguig ‘ghost’ projects Meanwhile, Senate blue ribbon committee chair Sen. Erwin Tulfo said the panel may examine Lacson’s allegations once the latter submits his findings. Tulfo said the information from Lacson would first be reviewed to determine the allegations, witnesses and projects that should be covered by the Senate inquiry. The NBI has likewise started looking into the alleged ghost infrastructure projects in Taguig based on Lacson’s claims. The Inquirer has sought Cayetano’s comment on Lacson’s latest statements but has yet to receive a response as of posting time. /das Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.