Lacson: Taguig land titles include underwater areas

MANILA, Philippines — The unauthorized encroachment of land and lakeshore areas on the Taguig side of Laguna de Bay span 170 hectares including areas still underwater, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said on Saturday, citing updated data from the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).

In a statement, he said the 170 hectares are covered by at least 13 land titles. “There are titled areas that are still water. When the PRA vetted them using digital and satellite maps, they found the titles covered even water,” said Lacson, who is also Senate President Pro Tempore.

He also noted in an interview with DZMM that the 170 hectares on the Taguig side account for nearly one-third of an estimated 560 hectares of reclaimed areas which also cover portions of the lake in Rizal and Laguna provinces.

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READ: Lacson: At least 13 land titles cover 170 hectares of Laguna Lake encroachment

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Lacson had earlier submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman at least 45 case studies backed by official documents detailing “systemic anomalies” in Taguig’s infrastructure projects. The Ombudsman has launched a fact-finding investigation.

‘Selective justice’

Also on Saturday, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano accused Lacson of “selective justice,” warning that those going against him may end up being targeted.

“There are projects that had been proven to be ‘ghost,’ but [everything’s] quiet, no investigation. So what’s their answer? It shouldn’t be [only] Taguig, it shouldn’t be [only] Alan, it shouldn’t be the Cayetanos who [must be held accountable],” Cayetano said in a Facebook livestream.

“If you [patch things up with] and follow Senator Lacson, [everything is] quiet. But if you [stick to your convictions], if you speak up on any issue he doesn’t like, you become part of [his] priority,” he added.

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Responding on social media, Lacson said: “It is not selective justice, just prioritizing. Because you‘re too talkative with ad hominems. Instead of confronting the issues, you want to drag the others.”

“He conveniently forgets my two privilege speeches and blue-ribbon committee hearings on the flood control project mess that produced massive evidence on the anomalies,” Lacson added.

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READ: Cayetano: Those going up against Ping Lacson gets ‘prioritized’

He also responded to Sen. Pia Cayetano’s claim that she felt “threatened” by a colleague who would not stop pursuing issues against them.

“I am the one she was alluding to. And I would not stop because throughout my public service career in law enforcement and legislation, I have a low tolerance for corruption and my record can speak for itself,” Lacson told DZMM.

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“If you throw stones, be prepared to defend yourselves if stones are thrown back. What is happening is ad hominem. I have yet to hear an explanation from Taguig. Did they deny there was illegal reclamation or that the slope protection projects were not built? None,” Lacson said. —WITH A REPORT FROM HOLLY BACAY