Manila: Senator Panfilo Lacson has issued a stark warning concerning the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's ongoing investigation into suspicious flood-control projects, suggesting the probe could extend to involve lawmakers. Lacson, who chairs the committee, emphasized that the scale of the irregularities uncovered thus far surpasses that of the notorious pork barrel scandal associated with Janet Lim-Napoles.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lacson stated that the committee would summon senators or representatives if the evidence necessitates such action, underscoring that the investigation will proceed without regard for parliamentary courtesies. Lacson confirmed the acquisition of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, which purportedly shows an emissary known only as 'Mina' delivering alleged obligations within the Senate premises.
Lacson remarked, 'Kung masagasaan, masasagasaan. Kung may pagtatakpan, bakit tayo mag-iimbestiga?' (If anyone is hit, so be it. If there is a cover-up, then why are we even investigating?), during a discussion at the Kapihan sa Senado forum. He revealed that his committee had identified a PHP355-million insertion in the bicameral conference committee version of the national budget, which was absent from both the National Expenditure Program and the House bill.
The senator further cautioned that the irregularities discovered so far might exceed the scope of the Napoles case, with estimates indicating that nearly PHP2 trillion in public funds may have been misappropriated through anomalous projects over the past 15 years. Lacson noted, 'Galit na ang kababayan, at na-inspire sa nangyari sa ibang bansa. Huwag sana mag-escalate sa ganoong punto' (The people are already angry, inspired by what happened abroad. Hopefully, it does not escalate to that point).
Based on initial calculations, Lacson suggested that 'more than 50 to 60 percent' of projects funded since 2011 could be fraudulent, describing the flood-control scam as one of the most intricate and widespread cases ever investigated. The committee plans to continue its hearings next week, with officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Budget and Management expected to provide clarity regarding budget insertions and contract awards.
