Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson dropped bombshell allegations in an interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos program warning of what he described as a “big criminal syndicate” operating within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), particularly in the implementation of flood control projects.
Lacson said the anomalies surrounding flood control appropriations and ghost projects may warrant a second privilege speech, depending on the validation of new information coming into his office.
“Depende kasi sabi ko nga kung may mas seryoso pa at mas nakakagimbal pa at mas malalaki pa na ma-va-validate, nagva-validate kami kasi ngayon eh may mga information na pumapasok na kailangan ng validation. Kapag solido ang pinanghahawakan namin ay malamang sa hindi magkaroon ng part two,” the senator said.
When asked whether the list of questionable projects submitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. may have been filtered or edited, Lacson offered a tempered response but pointed out the glaring omissions.
“Ayoko naman pag-isipan ng masama si Secretary Bonoan na finilter nila. Maaaring nakaligtaan nila o kaya talaga hindi abot ng kanilang kaalaman. Tulad ‘yong Darcy and Anna wala naman doon. May mga ganoon talagang hindi naman talamak pero bakit hindi nasama sa listahan,” he noted.
Moreover, it was noted that even major flood control projects in San Carlos City, Bacolod in Negros are not reflected in official government databases.
“Kasi napakaraming kalokohan din talaga eh. Marami ‘yong fly-by-night na parang turo-turo lang ng mga D.E. eh na ‘oh eto na, akin na lisensya mo’. Diba nga ang nilahad ko roon, mismong district engineering office na ang nagpapatupad, nagpapa-implement ng proyekto. Hinihiram ‘yong lisensya ng kontratista,” the senator commented.
“Maraming kalokohan talaga, parang sindikatong malaki. Puwede ko nang sabihin na ‘yong DPWH is a big criminal syndicate. Hindi ko nilalahat pero ‘yong mga sindikato sa loob talagang talamak, bakit napapabayaan?” Lacson stated.
Lacson further implicated lawmakers, both in the Senate and House of Representatives, as being part of the machinery that enables the system to thrive. These lawmakers allegedly act as financiers of the syndicate by inserting funds into the national budget that ultimately get funneled into questionable projects.
“Sila ‘yong mga tumatayong parang financer ng sindikato. Sila nagpo-provide ng pondo eh, sila nag-iinsert. Kasi kung wala namang insertion na nangyayari, tsaka malalakas ang loob eh kasi nga hindi naman matuturo pabalik sa kanila,” he explained.
He warned that the original purpose of funding infrastructure for district development has been twisted into a money-making opportunity.
“Kung ang tinitingnan ay ‘yong mga kailangan ng kanilang distrito, mga constituents. Eh ang nangyari kalaunan iba na ‘yong motibo eh. Lagyan mo ng dalawang bilyon ‘yong distrito, pagkakakitaan eh,” Lacson said.
The senator referenced the alleged DPWH-related corruption exposed by Congressman Leviste to underscore the extent of the issue, where future budgets are allegedly being paid in advance, highlighting the longstanding nature of the scheme.
“Diba sabi ni Congressman Leviste, ‘Yong nakalaang pondo para sa 2025 at ‘yong ilalaan pang pondo para sa 2026, binabayaran na siya eh, ang sinasabi raw sa kanya ‘dating kalakaran’ eh.”
With more documents, testimonies, and accounts reportedly under review, Lacson’s office is expected to finalize its findings in the coming weeks. Should the evidence prove strong, his next privilege speech could expose even more officials and projects involved in the sprawling network of alleged corruption.
