Metro Manila, Philippines — Senator Ping Lacson on Sunday brushed off Senator Alan Cayetano’s invitation to inspect Taguig’s flood control projects, joking that he might end up drowning in floodwaters.

In a Facebook livestream on Saturday, Aug. 1, Cayetano said Lacson and his staff were welcome to visit Taguig to verify that the flood control projects were legitimate.

“I will continue to invite not only Senator [Ping] Lacson, not only his staff, but everyone. Iba kasi yung sa papel-papel, iba yung sa picture-picture. Tingnan n’yo yung budget, pumunta kayo sa lugar, makikita n’yo nandiyan talaga yung project at magaganda, again ha, to the best of my knowledge,” Cayetano said.

[Translation: It’s different on paper and in pictures. Look at the budget, go to the project sites, and you’ll see that the projects are there and are well built—again, to the best of my knowledge.]

A day later, Lacson fired back.

“Saka na lang pag maayos na ang flood control program sa Taguig. Matagal na akong walang practice mag-swimming; baka dun pa ako malunod sa tubig baha,” Lacson said on Sunday, Aug. 2.

[Translation: Maybe when the flood control program in Taguig is fixed. I haven’t practiced swimming in a long time; I might end up drowning in floodwaters there.]

In a statement on Aug. 2, Lacson cited Barangay Ususan in Taguig, where a seven-year-old boy drowned after being swept away by floodwaters in a creek.

Barangay Ususan is one of five case studies Lacson submitted to the Ombudsman as part of his complaint over alleged ghost projects—infrastructure projects that, according to him, were fully paid for despite allegedly not existing.

Lacson also accused Cayetano of maintaining control over Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) operations in Taguig, a longtime Cayetano political stronghold.

He also alleged that evidence links Cayetano to reclamation projects in Laguna de Bay that lacked permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, claiming the projects proceeded because of alleged pressure from the senator.

Cayetano has denied the allegations and said he is prepared to face them.

READ: Lacson submits Taguig ghost project findings to Ombudsman amid dispute with Cayetano