SENATOR Panfilo “Ping” Lacson disclosed on Wednesday that his team uncovered at least two suspected “ghost” infrastructure projects in Taguig City amounting to a total of ₱75 million.
According to Lacson, these are part of a broader set of allocations worth ₱2.085 billion under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, consisting mostly of slope protection and drainage initiatives that form part of the ₱6.79 billion in budget insertions he previously linked to Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.
“We have documented at least two case studies so far. Too many ₱100 million slope protection and drainage projects totaling ₱2.085 billion out of the ₱6.79 billion insertions under the 2025 GAA,” Lacson stated in a social media post. He reiterated that out of the 70 identified projects, only 68 were reportedly implemented, leaving the two unreleased and unobligated — which he flags as possible evidence of irregularities. Lacson also claimed that Cayetano allegedly received a 25 percent cut from these infrastructure funds, assertions the senator has raised amid their ongoing public dispute.
Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, whose political bailiwick is Taguig, has strongly denied the accusations. “There are no ghost projects in Taguig,” Cayetano earlier said, adding that Lacson should not single out his home turf and must prove that his inquiries are not merely driven by personal animosity. He challenged Lacson to present concrete evidence and investigate other areas as well, rather than focusing solely on Taguig.
The exchange comes as the NBI has separately launched its own probe into alleged flood control anomalies in the city, further intensifying scrutiny over the use of public funds. Lacson has vowed to continue gathering proof, while Cayetano maintains that all projects were properly funded and executed in accordance with the law.
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