Lacson to Cayetano: Taguig probe evidence makes you ‘quake’

MANILA, Philippines — The word war between Sens. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Alan Peter Cayetano over questioned infrastructure and reclamation projects in Taguig City continued on Thursday, with Lacson claiming evidence from his probe makes Cayetano “quake while quacking.”

“Sen. Cayetano can accuse me all he wants of ‘politically motivated’ witch-hunt, fake news and trial by publicity, but I’m sure, he quakes in his shoes each time he sees every piece of evidence that I present each time he resorts to his trademark ‘quack-quack’ on Facebook Live,” Lacson said.

“PATHETIC. Imagine someone ‘quacking’ on FB Live with accusations of politically motivated demolition job, fake news and trial by publicity and at the same time ‘quaking in his boots’ every time each piece of evidence of corruption in his turf unfolds before his eyes,” he added in a post on X.

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His statement came as Cayetano on Wednesday maintained that the investigation into the projects in Taguig was politically motivated, accusing Lacson of conducting a “demolition job” and “witch hunt” against him.

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Lacson, however, said the evidence gathered by his office had already been submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman, which is conducting a fact-finding investigation into the projects.

READ: No hate for Lacson amid ‘witch hunt’ vs Taguig projects – Cayetano

“Marami na kaming naipadala,” (We have sent in a lot) Lacson said, referring to testimonial and documentary evidence his staff had gathered from official records of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippine Reclamation Authority, Land Registration Authority and General Appropriations Acts, among others.

Earlier, Lacson said at least P3.713 billion in public funds may have been wasted on projects along portions of Laguna Lake in Taguig City that are subject to government action over alleged “illegal” reclamation.

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The amount does not include other allegedly anomalous slope protection and flood mitigation projects along the Taguig River, which Lacson said involved double appropriations and “ghost” projects.

Meanwhile, Cayetano on Wednesday said the situation in Taguig had significantly improved, particularly in terms of flooding, under the leadership of the Cayetanos.

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Cayetano said this was why it was “very unfair” for the city to be subjected to what he called a “demolition job,” “witch hunt” and “trial by publicity.”

The Inquirer has sought Cayetano’s comment on Lacson’s latest statement but has yet to receive a response as of posting time. /jpv