Cayetano dares Lacson: Identify ‘ghost’ projects

MANILA, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday challenged Sen. Panfilo Lacson to identify the specific infrastructure projects in Taguig that were allegedly anomalous, as he maintained there were no “ghost” projects in the city.

“Which project is that? Which project are you referring to?” Cayetano said in an ambush interview ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona).

“You cannot respond to an allegation if you don’t know what the allegation is,” he added. In a series of posts on X, Lacson said his investigation had turned up evidence regarding alleged irregularities in some Taguig infrastructure projects, including double billing and collection.

READ: Lacson bares new evidence of double billing in Taguig ghost projects

Regarding his alleged P6.79 billion worth of “budget insertions” under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, Cayetano said Lacson should specify the projects, amounts, and basis for linking them to him.

He said he had previously pursued questionable contractors and officials and would also face Lacson’s allegations.

READ: Lacson: More ‘damning evidence’ in Taguig projects

“So we’ve made many enemies in Taguig, and many people have been removed, whether from the local government, the national government, or among contractors.

So perhaps they’re the ones making these complaints. They should just verify them carefully. But we will face the allegations,” Cayetano said. —Cristina Eloisa Bacling /atm