NEW DELHI, India — Malacañang will look into Senator Panfilo Lacson’s exposé of lawmakers allegedly involved in corruption tied to infrastructure projects, according to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro.
Lacson earlier claimed that 67 lawmakers were linked to questionable dealings.
“That’s welcome because it’s in line with what the President has been pushing. If anyone knows who’s involved in these projects, speak up,” Castro told reporters during a briefing in New Delhi. “But let’s not jump to conclusions. Just because there’s a project doesn’t automatically mean there’s corruption.”
Castro said it would be better if Lacson could back his claims with evidence. “If Senator Lacson can name names and has proof to support it, the President and the administration will absolutely welcome that,” she added.
Does Marcos have list, too?
Asked if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. might already know who’s on Lacson’s list, Castro said it was possible.
“Maybe the names Senator Lacson has are also on the President’s list, if such a list exists. Let’s wait and see if the President decides to release anything,” she said.
Castro emphasized that the President doesn’t make empty threats.
“He’s not the kind of leader who throws accusations around without verification,” she said. “Even if it happened in past administrations, he won’t be releasing lists that aren’t vetted. What he said in his SoNA was more of a warning — that the 2026 budget must be clean and transparent.”
She added that any questionable flood-control projects — whether completed, unfinished, or ghost projects — will be investigated thoroughly.
“If there’s wrongdoing, the President won’t hesitate to press charges,” she said.
Castro stressed the importance of verifying all documents and evidence that may surface in ongoing probes.
“We have to be cautious. It’s dangerous to accuse anyone without solid proof because it might backfire,” she said. “The President wants facts to be checked and the real culprits to be held accountable.”
In his recent State of the Nation Address, Marcos vowed to go after those who “fooled the public” through bogus flood-control projects.