Manila: The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee may soon delve into allegations of ghost flood-control projects and other infrastructure discrepancies in Taguig, contingent on Senator Panfilo Lacson's submission of pertinent documents. Committee chairperson Senator Erwin Tulfo indicated that the records would undergo an initial review to ascertain which allegations, witnesses, and projects warrant further scrutiny.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lacson has accused certain individuals of orchestrating ghost flood-control projects in Taguig. He also alleged that a city engineer, who remains unnamed, used two different aliases in casinos, accruing nearly PHP500 million in combined gambling activities at a casino in Metro Manila. However, Lacson has yet to provide evidence or reveal the identity of the engineer in question.
Further claims by Lacson suggest that PHP6.79 billion worth of projects were embedded in the 2025 national budget, with 68 out of 70 projects, valued at a combined PHP6.715 billion, already executed. These projects are linked to the disputed budget allocations but are not necessarily the ones he claims to be fictitious.
Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, whose wife Lani Cayetano serves as Taguig's mayor, refuted the existence of ghost projects in the city and urged Lacson to bring forth evidence. Cayetano pointed out that past assessments by the Department of Public Works and Highways and other authorities found no instances of paid yet unexecuted projects in Taguig.
Tulfo noted that Lacson has not yet provided the committee with the necessary documents. "Kung isa-submit niya, of course, we'll have to review that," Tulfo stated.
The Blue Ribbon panel's inquiry could potentially resume following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s upcoming State of the Nation Address, likely on a Thursday or Friday, subject to the availability of Senate hearing venues. "Pinaka-earliest, after SONA. Ang problema, punong-puno iyong mga rooms. baka Friday," Tulfo remarked.
Additionally, the committee plans to summon 18 security personnel who have expressed willingness to testify but will require them to submit sworn affidavits beforehand. "They dared us na imbitahan sila, so we will be inviting them. Pero I want an affidavit from them," Tulfo noted.
The committee will also assess whether the allegations fall under current investigations or cases by the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice to prevent redundant proceedings involving the same officials, contractors, and projects.
