Ched Rick Gatchalian

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, May 1, 2025. Handout/Lacson media team

 

Article (news)

Lacson: PH can recover P26B from officials, contractors involved in anomalous flood control projects
 

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1760156707785lacson.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Sen. Panfilo Lacson, May 1, 2025. <em>Handout/Lacson media team</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo &quot;Ping&quot; Lacson said the government can potentially get back an initial P26 billion from erring officials and contractors involved in anomalous flood control projects. </p><p>Lacson proposed a “retribution plus restitution” formula that would facilitate the return of funds as part of a plea deal.</p><p>Based on an initial finding of 421 contracted ghost flood control projects out of 8,000 projects inspected, Lacson said &quot;if all those responsible ... 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.” </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/9/dpwh-uncovers-421-ghost-projects-out-of-8-000-inspected-1030"><strong>DPWH uncovers 421 ghost projects out of 8,000 inspected</strong></a></div><p>He said the authorities and agencies conducting investigation on the flood control projects would have a key role in the implementing the formula.</p><p>“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,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/10/9/amlc-says-more-freeze-orders-coming-on-assets-linked-to-flood-control-1143"><strong>AMLC says more freeze orders coming on assets linked to flood control mess</strong></a></div><p>“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.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/9/tulfo-says-blue-ribbon-still-to-invite-romauldez-co-in-flood-control-hearings-1427"><strong>Tulfo-led Blue Ribbon to invite Romualdez, Co in flood control probe</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>NO COMPROMISE</strong></div><p>Lacson stressed that some of those involved, especially lawyers, may engage in plea bargaining, a legal process where an accused agrees to plead guilty to a lesser offense in exchange for a lighter sentence or other benefits. </p><p>However, he emphasized that there should be no compromise in applying the formula.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/9/-remulla-takes-oath-as-new-ombudsman-1123https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/9/-remulla-takes-oath-as-new-ombudsman-1123"><strong>Ombudsman Remulla vows to take flood control projects cases to Sandiganbayan</strong></a></div><p>&quot;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 explained.</p><p>He added that the government can also go after the insurance companies of the controversial flood control projects to recover more.</p><p>Lacson said the government should “take inspiration from the people in fighting corruption,” citing continuous public protests and expressions of anger toward fraud.</p><p>“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.</p><p><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/7/lacson-says-resignation-as-senate-blue-ribbon-chair-is-final-1722">After resigning as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee</a>, Lacson said will focus on the deliberations for the 2026 budget and on his duties as chairman of two other Senate committees – Accounts and Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation.</p>

<p>Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said the government can potentially get back an initial P26 billion from erring officials and contractors involved in anomalous flood control projects.</p>

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said the government can potentially get back an initial P26 billion from erring officials and contractors involved in anomalous flood control projects.

Lacson floats ‘retribution plus restitution’ plan to recover money from 'ghost' flood projects

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Lacson floats ‘retribution plus restitution’ plan to recover money from 'ghost' flood projects

Ched Rick Gatchalian,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 11, 2025 01:38 PM PHT

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Updated Oct 11, 2025 02:27 PM PHT

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Ping Lacson

Flood control projects

Corruption

Retribution

Restitution

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