Lacson Pushes Retribution and Restitution for Anomalous Infra Projects

“Retribution plus restitution” should be the formula of the government in dealing with erring officials and contractors behind anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson said the government – and taxpayers – can potentially get back an initial P26 billion from contracted flood control ghost projects between 2023 and 2025 worth P629 billion, with 80% possible restitution in exchange for shortened jail terms after conviction of those involved.

“A simple extrapolation using the initial finding of 421 contracted ghost flood control projects out of the 8,000 (5.26%) so far inspected by the AFP/PNP/DepDev composite team as standard, with an aggregate total amount of at least P629B worth of flood control CONTRACTED projects in 2023-2025, if all those responsible – contractors, politicians and Department of Public Works and Highways officials – will return just 80% of their loot, after a plea bargaining agreement in exchange for shortened jail terms, easily the Filipino people can recover at least P26 billion,” Lacson said.

“Imagine the hundreds of billions in taxpayers’ money that we may be able to recover out of all the other similarly corrupted infrastructure projects,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Itinulak ang ‘Retribution and Restitution’ Formula para sa Maanomalyang Infra Projects

But he said those conducting the investigations – including the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, Ombudsman, Department of Justice and the judiciary – will have a key role.

“Of course, everything depends on the political will of those conducting the investigations like the ICI, Ombudsman, DOJ and the judiciary. The President can take the lead and initiative to pursue the direction towards this end. Anyway, he was the triggering mechanism with his famous ‘Mahiya naman kayo’ line in his July 28, 2025 State of the Nation Address,” he said.

In an interview on DZMM radio, Lacson said that while plea bargaining can be pursued, the formula of restitution and retribution should not be taken as a compromise.

“The government may direct its investigation toward this formula. For instance, you cannot expect those involved to cooperate without plea bargaining. Although plea bargaining is not common in the Philippines, the lawyers of the government and those involved can pursue that,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“But there should be no compromise because we are talking about restitution plus retribution. No one should go free just because they returned their ‘loot.’ That is very unfair,” he added.

Lacson added the government can also recover more by going after the insurance companies of the anomalous infrastructure projects.

He said a similar formula can be pursued by the agencies concerned in dealing with other anomalous infrastructure projects including farm-to-market roads, school buildings and multipurpose buildings.

Also, Lacson said the government must take inspiration from the people in fighting corruption, citing the anger continuously expressed by Filipinos over the anomalous infrastructure projects.

“It is right that the public’s anger has not diminished. We continue to hear their chants to imprison the corrupt. This anger should not diminish because this is where the government should draw its inspiration,” he said.

Meanwhile, said that following his resignation as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, he will focus on the deliberations for the 2026 budget.

He will also focus on his duties as Senate President Pro Tempore and as chairman of two other Senate committees – Accounts and Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation.

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Lacson, Itinulak ang ‘Retribution and Restitution’ Formula para sa Maanomalyang Infra Projects

“Retribution plus restitution” ang dapat na maging formula ng pamahalaan sa paghabol sa mga opisyal at kontraktor na sangkot sa mga maanomalyang flood control at iba pang infrastructure projects, ayon kay Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Sabado.

Diin ni Lacson, maaaring mabawi ng pamahalaan — at ng mga taxpayer — ang paunang P26 bilyon mula sa contracted na flood control ghost project sa pagitan ng 2023 at 2025 na may halagang P629 bilyon, kung isasauli ng mga sangkot ang 80% ng nakulimbat kapalit ng pinaikling sentensya sa kulungan.

“A simple extrapolation using the initial finding of 421 contracted ghost flood control projects out of the 8,000 (5.26%) so far inspected by the AFP/PNP/DepDev composite team as standard, with an aggregate total amount of at least P629B worth of flood control CONTRACTED projects in 2023-2025, if all those responsible – contractors, politicians and Department of Public Works and Highways officials – will return just 80% of their loot, after a plea bargaining agreement in exchange for shortened jail terms, easily the Filipino people can recover at least P26 billion,” ani Lacson.

“Imagine the hundreds of billions in taxpayers’ money that we may be able to recover out of all the other similarly corrupted infrastructure projects,” dagdag niya.

Nguni’t iginiit ni Lacson na ang mga magsasagawa ng imbestigasyon – kabilang ang Independent Commission for Infrastructure, Ombudsman, Department of Justice at hudikatura – ay may malaking papel dito.

“Of course, everything depends on the political will of those conducting the investigations like the ICI, Ombudsman, DOJ and the judiciary. The President can take the lead and initiative to pursue the direction towards this end. Anyway, he was the triggering mechanism with his famous ‘Mahiya naman kayo’ line in his July 28, 2025 State of the Nation Address,” ani Lacson.

Sa panayam sa DZMM, ipinunto ni Lacson na bagama’t maaaring gawin ang plea bargaining, hindi ito maituturing na kompromiso.

“Siguro pwedeng i-direct ang investigation kasi di mo ma-expect na mag-cooperate fully yan kung walang plea bargaining. Hindi uso sa atin ang plea bargaining pero pwede magkaroon ng paguusap sa pamamagitan ng abogado ng gobyerno at nasasakdal,” aniya.

“Pero wala pang compromise kasi pinaguusapan dito restitution plus retribution. Di naman pwedeng restitution lang libre na sila, napaka-unfair naman noon,” dagdag niya.

Dagdag pa ni Lacson, maaari ring makabawi ng dagdag na halaga ang pamahalaan kung hahabulin nito ang mga insurance companies na nagsilbing surety o garantiya sa mga kuwestiyonableng proyekto.

Aniya, maaari ring gamitin ng mga kaukulang ahensya ang parehong formula sa paghawak ng iba pang anomalya sa mga proyekto tulad ng farm-to-market roads, school buildings, at multi-purpose buildings.

Diin din ni Lacson, dapat gawing inspirasyon ng gobyerno sa laban nito kontra korapsyon ang patuloy na galit ng publiko sa mga anomalya.

“Tama lang na hindi nawawala o nadi-diminish ang galit ng ating kababayan. Nagkaroon ng very famous chant na ‘ikulong.’ Dapat hindi bumitaw. Kasi nasa mamamayan natin ang malaking pagkukunan ng lakas ng loob ang gobyerno,” aniya.

Samantala, matapos ang kanyang pagbibitiw bilang chairman ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, sinabi ni Lacson na magpo-focus siya sa pagdinig ng 2026 national budget.

Tututukan din niya ang kanyang mga tungkulin bilang Senate President Pro Tempore at chairman ng Senate Committees on Accounts at Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation.

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