Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is unlikely to compromise his probe into alleged irregularities in Taguig flood control infrastructure, even if he and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano were to somehow reconcile, the Palace said on Monday.
Senator Erwin Tulfo reportedly announced that a caucus aimed at reconciling the two feuding senators was to be gathered.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that while it is ideal that public servants maintain harmonious work relationships and that convictions need not spark conflicts, the Palace believes that Lacson is not one to back down from an investigation concerning questionable projects to appease other parties.
“Kung sila po ay magkakasundo at mawawala na iyong mga personal nilang sentimyento sa bawat isa mas, magiging maganda ang kanilang relasyon sa pagtatrabaho. Pero naniniwala tayo na sa pagkatao po ni Senator Lacson hindi po siya makikipag-compromise para lang mawala ang kaniyang pag-iimbestiga,” Castro told reporters during a press briefing.
“So, naniniwala tayo na tuluy-tuloy pa rin ang mga issue na dapat na imbestigahan, kung may mga ebidensiya alam po din natin na ito ay kaniyang ipagpapatuloy,” she added.
Over the weekend, Lacson and Cayetano traded barbs, with the former standing firm on his findings and Cayetano clapping back.
During a Facebook broadcast on August 1, Cayetano invited Lacson, his staff, and the public to personally inspect the flood control projects in Taguig, confident an ocular was sufficient to debunk allegations of corruption.
The following day, Lacson responded jokingly in a Tweet that he has not swum in a long while and may drown in floodwaters if he visits Taguig.
“Saka na lang pag maayos na ang flood control program sa Taguig. Matagal na akong walang practice mag-swimming; baka dun pa ako malunod sa tubig baha. Lol!” he posted.
In another Livestream, Cayetano hit back, saying Lacson would drown, not in a flood, but in “truth.”
“Senator Lacson, hindi ka malulunod sa Taguig, malulunod ka sa katotohanan. ‘Yan ha, kapag puro ka sinungalingan, ang nakakalunod yung katotohanan,” Cayetano said.
