Cayetano on Lacson’s alleged slow release of charges: It’s like striptease

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano (left) and Senator Panfilo Lacson (Photos by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA) MANILA, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano criticized Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson over the latter’s alleged gradual release of allegations against him. Cayetano particularly cited those accusations involving infrastructure and reclamation projects in Taguig City. The senator likened Lacson’s actions to a “striptease” without evidence. Article continues after this advertisement The lawmaker made the pronouncement during another Facebook livestream after Lacson noted that his office’s probe into the alleged anomalies in Taguig’s infrastructure and reclamation projects is making the minority leader “quake while quacking.” READ: Lacson to Cayetano: Taguig probe evidence makes you ‘quake’ “Every day for the last three months, it’s like a striptease, but there’s no real evidence. Just constant accusations,” said Cayetano on Friday. “Why did I say witch hunt? Just looking for everything, even if there is none. It’s like you’re looking for a ghost. It’s not there. You’re making up a story,” Cayetano told Lacson. He then dared Lacson to end the “trial by publicity” by allowing the Office of the Ombudsman to do its job. Article continues after this advertisement According to Cayetano, he himself is cooperating “one hundred percent” with the Ombudsman. “No one is above the law. We welcome an honest-to-goodness, fair investigation,” he said. Article continues after this advertisement Cayetano then expressed confidence that the investigation will not only clear him, but will eventually reveal Lacson’s motive for repeatedly attacking him. “We are confident that once everything is submitted, we will not only be cleared, but the intention of Senator Ping will be seen,” he said. Meanwhile, on Saturday, Lacson responded to Cayetano, stating that he was right in mentioning that there were “ghosts” in Taguig. “True. There are so many ‘ghosts’ in the slope protection and flood mitigation projects along Taguig River. The Ombudsman is now investigating,” said Lacson in a social media post. The senator also bared that officials of the Taguig city hall reportedly tried to block investigators probing the reclamation project in the city alleged to be illegal. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. “The illegal reclamation is a separate case that they are also looking into, but they were blocked by city hall, so the SAF arrested them yesterday,” he disclosed. /apl