Flood control scam likely has multiple masterminds – Lacson
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday said there may be a “mastermind” in each region in charge of the flood control anomalies.
Lacson made the remark after Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on Tuesday asked whether Lacson had identified the “mastermind” behind the alleged flood control scam. He, however, declined to answer questions related to the committee chairman’s report.
“I think every region or every district engineer has a mastermind,” Lacson said.
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Instead of a singular mastermind, the senator believed there were organized groups in each region or district.
“I don’t think there’s an overall mastermind because it’s driven by greed, so I said it’s parasitic… But there is an organized group within a specific agency or district engineering office. In Bulacan, that’s really a syndicate,” he said.
The senator was referring to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office, whose officials were implicated in the infrastructure-related corruption.
The senator also reiterated that his conclusion was “based on evidence,” adding that no single individual could command all regional directors.
When asked if former House appropriations panel head and congressman Elizaldy Co would be considered a mastermind, Lacson disagreed.
“When you say mastermind, it implies a fully organized setup, like a mafia, where everyone follows you. I don’t think so… There may be a particular congressman — not necessarily Zaldy Co — who manipulates within his area of influence,” the blue ribbon committee chair explained.
READ: Lacson: Partial flood control report gains 7 of 9 required signatures
Lacson also shared that although he declined to entertain questions after delivering a privileged speech during Tuesday’s session, he later spoke with Estrada on the sidelines.
He told Estrada: “You cannot pinpoint a single mastermind in the whole situation… What we tackled were microcosms—representative samples of the extent of corruption in flood control projects.”
In his speech, Lacson cited crucial parts of the partial blue ribbon committee report on the flood control probe.
He refused to answer questions from his colleagues, saying he would only do so once the partial report is signed by the majority of the panel members.
The report has been circulated among committee members since February, but has yet to secure enough signatures to be formally sponsored and possibly adopted by the Senate./dp /atm
