Tag: flood control

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Lacson: Ex-DPWH Chief Deliberately Fed Fake Ghost Flood Control Project Data to Malacañang

Ex-Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan deliberately fed false data to Malacañang regarding ghost flood control projects, possibly to throw off the investigation into the matter, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson bared Wednesday.

Lacson cited “very reliable information” reaching him showing the data led to incorrect grid coordinates of thousands of flood control projects nationwide.

“I received reliable information that former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan deliberately submitted to Malacañang incorrect grid coordinates of thousands of flood control projects all over the country, which formed part of the Sumbong sa Pangulo website. This resulted in grossly inaccurate data involving some 421 ghost projects on previously inspected flood control projects earlier reported to the public by the said department and which they are now trying to rectify by comparing the records in their multi-year planning and scheduling or MYPS, Project and Contract Management Application or PCMA, and other related documents that remain intact and in the possession of the Department,” he said at the Kapihan sa Senado forum.

“Even if he insists he is not a principal player, we can very clearly see his complicity in covering up the crime,” he added, in a mix of English and Filipino.

In Filipino: Lacson: Sadyang Minali ni Ex-DPWH Sec. Bonoan sa Malacañang ang Datos ng mga Ghost Flood Control Projects

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Lacson Bill Arms AMLC to Counter Evolving Corruption Schemes

The complex financial crimes exposed in the investigation into the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects have prompted Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson to file a bill further strengthening the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

Senate Bill 1557, which Lacson filed on Wednesday, gives the AMLC additional powers while widening the scope of covered persons and updating the list of predicate offenses to money laundering.

“Recent corruption issues have highlighted the complexities of financial crimes. Updating the AMLA to meet the requirements of the times would also prevent us from being placed in the FATF Greylist again,” Lacson said in his bill, noting that the Philippines will be subjected to the FATF’s fifth round of global mutual evaluations in 2027.

In Filipino: Panukalang Batas ni Lacson, Dadagdagan ang Ngipin ng AMLC vs Korapsyon

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Lacson: Background Check on ‘Totally Surprise Witness’ Guteza Needed

A full record check and background investigation (RCBI) on “surprise witness” Orly Regala Guteza will be needed due to the gravity of his testimony at Thursday’s Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, Senate President Pro Tempore and Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday.

Lacson noted that Guteza, who claims to be a former Marine and ex-security consultant of Rep. Elizaldy Co, was presented before the committee Thursday without even the courtesy of notice.

Further complicating matters was that the lawyer whose signature and notarial details appeared in Guteza’s affidavit denied notarizing or preparing the document.

“Without the courtesy of notice even to the committee chairman, a totally surprise witness in yesterday’s Blue Ribbon hearing, a complete record check and background investigation on Orly Regala Guteza is in order owing to the gravity and seriousness of his testimony yesterday,” Lacson said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Kailangan ang Background Check sa ‘Totally Surprise Witness’ na si Guteza

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Incoming Blue Ribbon Chairman Lacson to Demand ‘Receipts’ in Flood Control Probe

Strict, no-nonsense and “receipt” based. These will be the trademarks of Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson in conducting investigations as incoming chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, including the probe into substandard and ghost flood control projects.

Lacson said Tuesday that this approach will apply to the claims of Pacifico and Cezarah Discaya linking some lawmakers and officials to corruption.

“First of all, I will look for receipts. I will not rely on the say-so of others hook, line and sinker. In my privilege speeches, I do not rely on mere reports or testimonies. Instead, I ask myself what evidence do I have to support what I will say?” he said in Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Incoming Blue Ribbon Chairman Lacson, Magdedemanda ng Resibo sa Imbestigasyon sa Flood Control

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Amid Deluge of ‘Isolated Cases,’ Lacson Pushes Agency Unity vs Collusion in Flood Control Projects

Amid a continued deluge of “isolated cases” of flood control projects, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson pushed for coordination and cooperation among concerned government agencies to thwart the collusion behind substandard and ghost projects.

Lacson continues to validate new information he and his staff are receiving regarding corrupted flood control projects other than those he detailed in his privilege speech last Aug. 20.

“Isolated case here, isolated case there, isolated cases everywhere. Maybe we should start looking for an isolated case of a corrupt-free, properly implemented flood control project,” he said in a post on X Thursday.

In Filipino: Sa Gitna ng Baha ng mga ‘Isolated Cases,’ Itinulak ni Lacson ang Pagkakaisa ng mga Ahensya Laban sa Sabwatan sa Flood Control Projects

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