Lacson Rebuts Cayetano on Illegally Reclaimed Land in Taguig City: What If It Wasn’t Exposed?

If the alleged illegal reclamation activities on the Taguig City side of Laguna Lake had not been exposed, would Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano still be “hoping” that the allegations of illegally titled properties in the area are true so the government could stand to gain from the land?

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson raised this question Monday after Cayetano claimed over the weekend that the parcels of allegedly illegally reclaimed land, including an 18-hectare property, could go to the government.

“WHAT IF IT WASN’T EXPOSED?” Lacson said on X.

In Filipino: Lacson, Pinabulaanan si Cayetano sa Ilegal na Reclamation sa Taguig City: Paano Kung Hindi Ito Nabuking?

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Lacson: Ombudsman On Track in Taguig Reclamation and Flood Control Projects Investigation

The Office of the Ombudsman has issued subpoenas to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other government agencies for records related to illegal reclamation projects in the Taguig portion of Laguna Lake, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson said the Ombudsman’s fact-finding investigation is continuing, with his office providing additional documents and updates, while the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) has also submitted drone images of the reclamation sites.

“I believe nagpadala na ng subpoena ang Office of the Ombudsman sa DPWH duces tecum, kinukuha lahat na records sa Taguig. At ang PRA nagpadala na rin ng kanilang drone shots. Walong reclamation sites (I believe the Office of the Ombudsman has sent subpoena duces tecum to the DPWH for the records in the Taguig reclamation projects. The PRA has also sent its drone shots. There are eight reclamation sites),” he said in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: Ombudsman On Track sa Taguig Reclamation at Flood Control Projects Investigation

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Lacson: DPWH Guarantees Halt to Projects Tied to Illegal Reclamation in Taguig

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has guaranteed it will issue cease-and-desist orders to halt ongoing projects in Taguig City tied to illegal reclamation works there, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson said DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon “guaranteed” him the agency will immediately issue the cease-and-desist orders upon receiving the appropriate requests from the Philippine Reclamation Authority.

“Sec. Dizon guaranteed that once he receives the PRA’s request to issue cease-and-desist orders, he will issue them immediately,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

“This will prevent the worsening of the situation where government money is wasted on contractors who are doing the wrong thing,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: DPWH, Ginarantiyahang Ihihinto ang mga Proyektong Kaugnay ng Ilegal na Reclamation sa Taguig

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Lacson: PRA Starts Process to Forfeit Illegally Reclaimed Taguig Land for National Government

The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) has started the process that could lead to the forfeiture in favor of the national government of several hectares of illegally reclaimed land on the Taguig side of Laguna Lake, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson said the PRA has confirmed his and his team’s initial findings that the Taguig City government had not secured a single permit required to undertake the reclamation.

“They are moving toward an investigation that would lead to a PRA board resolution to start the process toward forfeiture proceedings. If reclamation is undertaken without a permit from the PRA, which is the agency mandated to regulate reclamation and issue the necessary permits, the logical conclusion is that the land should be forfeited in favor of the national government. And the PRA confirmed that there was not a single permit,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

“The reclaimed land may be benefiting residents, as former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano claims, but the proper procedures and laws still have to be followed, including securing the necessary permits. The PRA said the city government did not secure a single permit,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: PRA, Sinimulan na ang Proseso para I-Forfeit sa Pambansang Gobyerno ang Ilegal na Ni-Reclaim na Lupa sa Taguig

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Lacson: End Impunity in Illegal Reclamation Ops in Taguig; Time for Justice and Accountability

The impunity that has accompanied unabated and illegal reclamation operations disguised as flood control and mitigation projects in the Taguig side of Laguna Lake for several years must end and give way to justice and accountability, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday.

Lacson said the operations had been allowed to continue despite questions over their legality and effectiveness in addressing flooding, while power and influence were used to harass officials of the agencies tasked to protect Laguna Lake.

“The Cayetanos have disguised these unabated and illegal reclamation operations in the Taguig side of Laguna Lake as flood control and mitigation projects for several years now, using their power and influence to harass officials of the Philippine Reclamation Authority, Laguna Lake Development Authority and other agencies tasked to protect the lake,” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson: Tapusin ang Impunity sa Illegal Reclamation Ops sa Taguig; Panahon na para sa Hustisya at Pananagutan

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