Senator Panfilo Lacson insinuated the existence of a multibillion-peso flood control project irregularity in Taguig City, the bailiwick of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, on the heels of Cayetano’s allegation that the Senate investigation was selective and targeted political opponents.

“Senator Cayetano has P6.79 billion in budget insertions under the 2025 GAA (General Appropriations Act). I have no insertions and no 25-percent kickback for slope protection and other infrastructure projects,” Lacson said.

Cayetano, in his livestream on Saturday, questioned the source of Lacson’s increased wealth and renewed his call for a Senate investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects, portraying himself as an advocate against corruption.

Responding, Lacson alleged there were also “ghost” flood control projects in Taguig City, Cayetano’s political stronghold, and claimed the city’s engineer, whom he described as a “self-styled BGC boy,” had amassed nearly P500 million in lifetime casino winnings while using two aliases.

He also renewed his accusation that Cayetano benefited from P6.79 billion in budget insertions under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, claiming that 68 of 70 projects had already been implemented.

He contrasted this with his own record, saying he had never sought budget insertions or accepted kickbacks during his years in the Senate.

“Unlike Senator Cayetano, I have no insertions a.k.a. pork barrel and no 25-percent kickback for slope protection and other infrastructure projects,” he said.

Cayetano’s office had not issued a response to Lacson’s latest allegations at press time.

Probe steps up as SoNA nears

Meanwhile, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla shrugged off claims that the ongoing probe into the flood control mess was selective and delayed, saying President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had ordered an investigation into corruption in flood control projects.

Remulla maintained the investigation has been progressing without interruption.

“It will continue uninterrupted. There will be no cover-up. We’re at the office every single day, and we never stop carrying out our work,” Remulla said on Saturday.

On the other hand, Cayetano, in a livestream on his Facebook channel, argued that the flood control investigation was being used for political purposes.

“Which KKK do you want? Kuyog, Kaso, Kulong (Mob Justice, Cases, Jail)? Or Katotohanan, Konstitusyon, at Paglaban sa Korapsyon (Truth, the Constitution, and the Fight Against Corruption)? Anyone they consider an enemy, they want to put behind bars,” Cayetano said.

Lacson stood by the Blue Ribbon Committee’s (BRC) work despite repeated criticism.

He said that despite the usual criticism and the obvious politically motivated acts, he will stand firm on the BRC’s accomplishments.

The high-profile figures charged in connection with the flood control scandal are Senator Jinggoy Estrada, former senator Bong Revilla, and former Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan. The Sandiganbayan is currently handling their cases.

Parallel BRC probe

Cayetano also rejected Senator Erwin Tulfo’s call to “relax,” insisting that the Senate can continue its flood control investigation even as it conducts the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

He rejected Tulfo’s suggestion that he “relax” about the flood control inquiry, arguing that the investigation should not be delayed because it concerns an issue affecting the entire country.

“We only hold impeachment hearings from Monday to Wednesday. The Senate has more than enough rooms available,” Cayetano said, disputing claims that the impeachment proceedings prevented Senate committees from holding investigations.

Cayetano also alleged that the flood control probe had been undermined through the targeting of members of the Senate minority, citing the replacement of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta as chair of the inquiry, the legal complaint filed against him, the arrest of Estrada, and what he described as efforts to prevent the Senate hearings from proceeding.