Lacson sees cease-and-desist orders vs Taguig projects
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo Lacson expects the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to soon issue cease-and-desist orders against ongoing slope protection and flood control projects in Taguig, following the discovery of 32 allegedly anomalous projects in the known political bailiwick of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.
Lacson met with PRA and DPWH officials to discuss the need to seize in favor of the government an allegedly illegal 84-hectare reclaimed land in Taguig in the guise of flood control and slope protection projects without the necessary environmental permits.
“All reclaimed areas that did not apply and secure permits from PRA are subject to forfeiture in favor of the national government. There is no distinction, whether those reclaimed areas belong to the LGU of Taguig or are titled under private individuals or corporate entities,” Lacson said.
Cayetano’s denials on his Facebook Live of any involvement and anomaly are contradicted by the validated pieces of evidence he has on hand, Lacson said.
“In sum, Senator Cayetano’s denials on his FB Live postings all run counter to the facts as established so far, not only by my team, but validated by PRA and DPWH and Laguna Lake Development Authority in their earlier statements,” Lacson said.
The Office of the Ombudsman will soon issue subpoenas for its fact-finding investigation after Lacson turned over all his proof of flood control anomalies in Taguig, according to the senator.
Among the alleged anomalies he uncovered were overlapping slope protection spans along Taguig river allegedly to siphon kickbacks, repeated use of photos to show proof of completion in progress billings and insertions in the 2025 national budget under Cayetano and his sister Sen. Pia Cayetano.?Lacson also accused Cayetano of harassing PRA officials by holding their budget hostage during Senate deliberations should they oppose the Taguig reclamation works.
Cayetano defends reclamation
Cayetano, the Senate minority leader, has denied all allegations of wrongdoing in several Facebook Live sessions, accusing Lacson of using his position to target his critics and play partisan politics.
Cayetano said the reclamation projects were needed to “protect the lake.”
While he has yet to address Lacson’s latest allegations, Cayetano’s office issued a statement yesterday saying his emergency response team on Sunday delivered hot meals and drinks to residents of Parañaque, Cavite and Las Piñas affected by the flooding caused by the monsoon rains.
Cayetano said his relief operations continued yesterday in Taytay, Tanay and Rodriguez in Rizal, as well as in Bacoor City, General Trias and Naic in Cavite.
Meanwhile, the PRA denied claims that Cayetano attempted to block its investigation into the alleged unauthorized reclamation in the Taguig side of Laguna Lake.?
“We were not ordered to stop, because the investigation of our agency is independent. There was no order to stop the probe from any senator,” PRA general manager Joseph Literal told The STAR.?
“The probe started earlier than the case (investigation) by Sen. Panfilo Lacson. It is parallel, because our inspection started due to complaints on garbage and reclamation,” Literal added.?
Proceeding to its forfeiture process, the PRA said it has summoned Taguig officials over the flagged unauthorized reclamation of more than 40 hectares in the area.?
Literal said they initially monitored a small reclamation in the area, amounting to six parcels. However, the latest drone shots found the unregulated reclamation area has stretched further.
The PRA said the proposed projects in the reclaimed sites also include medium-rise and other improvements in the area.?
The official expressed concern about the household waste that gets mixed with the soil or filling materials.?
The PRA also flagged the sheet piles, measuring about 120 meters from the edge of C6 Road, that have become a revetment wall of the ongoing filling up of the roadside. ?Literal said the project was implemented by the DPWH probably because it came from the General Appropriations Act.?
However, he clarified that the southern portion of the project was funded by the local government of Taguig.?
“It’s government-funded, but it’s not the infrastructure project of DPWH. They have funding, like assistance to the local government,” Literal explained.?
The PRA has been seeking valid documents of the local government since the last quarter of 2025.
If the Taguig government fails to submit the required documents, the PRA may issue a cease-and-desist order as a preliminary action toward forfeiture.?The ownership of the reclamation areas will be transferred to the national government once it is forfeited, PRA said. — Andrew Ronquillo
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