Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson clarified that the data he presented during his privilege speech is factual and not based on assumption and speculation.
“Ang aking presentasyon, nothing but factual. Wala akong spekulasyon, wala akong assumption, as is, where is,” Lacson said in an exclusive interview with DZRH’s Special on Saturday, on August 23, revisiting his presentation in the Senate.
The senator said he initially thought of covering up the name of Oriental Mindoro 1st District Rep. Arnan Panaligan.
During deliberation, however, he questioned his initial decision, stating, “Nung nag-uusap na kami, sabi ko on second thought, why should we cover up for him? Eh siya naman mismo ‘yug umangkin niyan. So sige, huwag na lang natin i-blulr, i-present na lang natin as is kung ano ‘yung nakita natin.”
Following Lacson’s revelation, his fellow senators, lawmakers, and other media personnel quickly turned their attention to the ghost flood control projects in various locations in the country.
Speaking at the exclusive interview, the senator said he had already anticipated this, highlighting that he took the time to counter-check and verify the data he presented before the Senate, as netizens are accustomed to fact-checking. Initially, he had focused on the case in Oriental Mindoro, but decided to tackle other areas as well.
Furthermore, Lacson said his team also conducted random sampling and case studies in various areas.
"Sabi ko nga sa aking privilege speech, hindi naman ito hinugot…sa hangin o kaya kami mismo nag-assume. Kausap namin mismo, ang DPWH. Kausap namin mismo mga kontratista. Kausap namin mismo, mga mamamayan," the senator emphasized.
"Kaya ito yung aming paraan ng pagka-countercheck, pagva-validate. Hindi pwedeng kung ano lang nakita ng aming team, face value, amin na lamang ilalagay sa aking privilege speech. So hindi pwedeng itanggi na yung nilalaman ng aking privileged speech ay walang basehan," he added, explaining this was the reason why he decided to compile all the data in a PowerPoint presentation.
However, the senator also stressed that these case studies were not enough. He also instructed people to inspect the areas, bring a drone, and see for themself whether the projects are defective or in progress.
Why does it happen?
Lacson pointed out that the main reason these anomalies happen is because of hubris.
“Sumobra na yung kanilang self-confidence na kung saan, dinisregard na nila yung public perception, dinisregard na yung public opinion, dinisregard na yung public need," he said.
"Lahat ng tungkol sa publiko, sinarahan na nila yung kanila mga mata dahil nga hindi na makontrol yung greed. Dahil hindi na nagkasya doon sa racket na may porsyento rito, may porsyento doon. sinagad na hanggang sa umabot na sa ghost project para lahat kinita na," he added.
On Thursday evening, Lacson said in an interview on Balansyado that he arranged for full transparency on budget insertions in the Senate.
