Ombudsman subpoenas agencies over Taguig projects

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has issued subpoenas to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and several other government agencies to compel the turnover of records concerning illegal reclamation projects along the Taguig City portion of Laguna de Bay, Sen. Panfilo Lacson revealed yesterday.

In an interview on dzBB, Lacson said the ombudsman’s fact-finding investigation is actively underway, aided by additional documents, titles and witnesses provided by his office, as well as drone surveillance footage submitted by the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).

He said the subpoenas were issued to the DPWH, PRA, the Land Registration Authority and the Taguig City Registry of Deeds.

“We have already sent 10 title numbers and they need to see who these were titled to,” Lacson said.

He clarified that while the ombudsman is the lead investigative body, his office continues to support the case by turning over leads from whistle-blowers.

The ombudsman’s probe currently covers eight reclamation sites along the Taguig side of the lake, according to him. Of these, only one has been completed, while the seven others – some dating back to 2007 – are ongoing without the required permits.

Citing data provided by the PRA, Lacson said the unauthorized reclamation activities cover an aggregate area of at least 85 hectares.

The PRA is currently preparing to initiate forfeiture proceedings to recover the 85 hectares of reclaimed land in favor of the national government, pending the formal passage of a board resolution.

Beyond the issue of legality, Lacson warned that the massive unauthorized dumping threatens the ecological health and carrying capacity of the critical body of water.

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