Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson exchanged fresh barbs on social media amid their continuing disagreement over alleged irregularities in infrastructure and reclamation projects in Taguig City.
In a social media post, Cayetano criticized Lacson’s anti-corruption campaign, saying it allegedly empowers the masterminds and those he described as most guilty.
Cayetano also accused Lacson of trying to silence voices defending the country, the Constitution and democracy.
“Imagine a Ping Lacson truly fighting against corruption, instead of protecting the corrupt,” Cayetano said, while questioning Lacson’s motives in investigating projects in Taguig.
Lacson, meanwhile, earlier said that if his fight against corruption intimidates those involved in corruption, he must be doing “something right and good for the country.”
The exchange came as Lacson and his staff continued to submit documents to the Office of the Ombudsman concerning alleged anomalies in flood-control and other infrastructure projects in Taguig. His camp has submitted at least 45 case studies on alleged “systemic anomalies” in flood-control projects.
Lacson denies saying impeachment trial should end by December
Lacson also denied Cayetano’s earlier claim that he had said the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte should be completed by December.
In a post on X, Lacson called the claim a “classic case of putting words into my mouth,” saying he never made such a statement and does not have the power or influence to dictate the timeline of the proceedings.
Cayetano had cited the alleged statement while discussing what he described as threats against members of the Senate minority bloc.
The two senators have previously traded accusations over Lacson’s investigation into alleged anomalous projects in Taguig, with Cayetano accusing Lacson of conducting a “trial by publicity,” while Lacson has maintained that his investigation is evidence-based.
The Office of the Ombudsman is separately conducting a fact-finding investigation into allegations involving projects in Taguig.
