Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson sees the possible filing of plunder charges against Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, saying the “plot thickens” in his investigation into alleged ghost infrastructure projects in Taguig, Cayetano’s political bailiwick.
“Eh kung series of acts tapos at least P50 million, e wala nang pupuntahan ‘yon kundi plunder,” Lacson said in a radio interview on Friday, July 24.
[Translation: If these are a series of acts involving at least P50 million, then it points to nothing else but plunder.]
Lacson earlier claimed Cayetano inserted more than P6.79 billion into the controversial 2025 General Appropriations Act, including P3.385 billion worth of questionable slope protection projects, each funded at P100 million.
Two of the projects allegedly had the same location and description, suggesting that a single project may have been funded twice.
“It may not be outright illegal but if payment was collected for both, one is a ghost project. If one was not implemented, where did the P100 million appropriation for it go?” Lacson said in a statement.
He added that his office has identified at least three alleged “bagmen,” including some familiar names.
“Akala ko nga isa lang yung bagman niya nung una e. Lumalabas ngayon ang naidentify na bagmen — sa ngayon ha — at least tatlo e,” Lacson said in another radio interview.
[Translation: At first, I thought he only had one bagman. But based on what we’ve identified so far, there are at least three.]
Lacson said he is considering submitting his findings directly to the Office of the Ombudsman instead of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Senator Erwin Tulfo, to speed up the process. He said this would allow the Ombudsman to immediately conduct a fact-finding inquiry or preliminary investigation.
“Kung may reasonable certainty of conviction… edi diretso na sa Sandiganbayan para maissuehan na agad ng warrant,” Lacson said.
[Translation: If there is reasonable certainty of conviction, then the case can go straight to the Sandiganbayan so that a warrant can be issued immediately.]
Tulfo earlier said the Blue Ribbon Committee is ready to review any findings should Lacson submit them.
“Ang daming [There is so much] damning (evidence). The plot thickens. The list lengthens. The case strengthens. Kung merong [If there is] ‘shoot sa balde’, meron ding [there is also] SHOOT SA KALDERO,” Lacson also said in a post on X, referencing the cauldron controversy that hounded Cayetano during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
Cayetano denies
Cayetano has repeatedly denied the existence of ghost projects in Taguig and questioned why the city was being singled out.
“Sabi nga ni Manong Chavit Singson, sa Ilocos daw meron. Ewan ko kung totoo o hindi. Pero ang tinitingnan lang ni Senator Lacson ay Taguig,” Cayetano said in a Facebook livestream on July 19.
[Translation: As former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson said, there are supposedly ghost projects in Ilocos too. I don’t know if that’s true or not. But Senator Lacson seems to be looking only at Taguig.]
In another Facebook Live on Friday, Cayetano said he would wait for the specific allegations, adding that he is ready to address them.
Lacson: Taguig not singled out
Lacson denied singling out Taguig but admitted he prioritized scrutinizing the city after Cayetano raised questions about the increase in his wealth reflected in his 2025 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), filed upon his return to the Senate, compared with his 2022 SALN when he left office.
Lacson has said his net worth quadrupled because of legitimate business deals while he was out of government service.
“Na-prioritize lang, dahil nga ang ingay-ingay niya e. ‘Pag nag-iingay ka, mapapansin ka eh. ‘Pag nambato ka, kailangan malinis ka, kasi kung mayroon kang dumi, ‘wag ka mambabato ng putik, kasi babalik sa’yo ‘yun e,” Lacson said.
[Translation: It was prioritized simply because he has been making so much noise. When you make noise, you attract attention. If you’re going to throw mud at someone, you’d better make sure you’re clean yourself. Otherwise, the mud will just come back to you.]
“Hindi ako magpapakaimpokrito [I’m not going to be a hypocrite],” Lacson said in another interview.
