Lacson sees destabilization bid in fresh kickback claim vs Marcos

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Thursday saw an attempt to destabilize the government following fresh allegations linking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the flood control scandal.

Lacson noted the timing of the press conference held at the Club Filipino in San Juan City on Tuesday, where Marcos was accused of masterminding the alleged delivery of P805-billion cash kickbacks to some government officials. 

READ: Palace: Marines’ alleged cash delivery to Marcos a ‘lousy script’

He pointed out that the press conference was held on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolution, and while the International Criminal Court is hearing the confirmation charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte in connection with his war on drugs. 

READ: Ex-Makabayan reps: Cash suitcases claim meant to divert attention from ICC

“It looks like there’s a political color to it — not just political color, but it seems like there’s also a destabilization aspect,” Lacson said in Filipino in an interview at the Senate on Wednesday.

He also questioned why Marcos’ accusers chose the venue of the press conference, where the late President Corazon Aquino took her oath as chief executive following the successful Edsa revolt that ousted his father 40 years ago.

In that press conference, lawyer  Levito “Levi” Baligo alleged that on Marcos’ order, 18 former Marines delivered suitcases of cash to politicians, including former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co. 

READ: Navy: 4 of 18 ‘bagmen’ never Marines; most dishonorably discharged

Lacson found the allegation “mind-boggling,” noting the supposed large amount of kickbacks from the flood control projects.

“They said that P805 billion was allocated, distributed, or went to Congressman Zaldy Co. Well, from 2023 to 2025, the total amount for flood control projects is P1.3 trillion,” he said in Filipino.

“So if Congressman Zaldy Co allegedly received P805 billion, that would be at least 70 percent of the total appropriations for flood control projects during the same period. That would mean most of those projects are essentially ghost projects,” he added.

He was referring to former Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and dismissed Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara, who were among those implicated in the flood control works mess.

“The computation is excessive,” Lacson said in Filipino.

If indeed the delivery amounted to P805 billion, then the money should have been loaded into over 13,000 large suitcases, assuming that one large suitcase can fit P50 million to P70 million, he added. /mcm