Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson urged the government to adopt a “retribution plus restitution” approach in dealing with officials and contractors behind anomalous flood control and infrastructure projects.
Lacson said the government could recover at least P26 billion from ghost flood control projects worth P629 billion between 2023 and 2025 if those involved return 80% of their loot through plea bargaining in exchange for shorter jail terms.
He cited findings that 421 out of 8,000 projects inspected were ghost projects, stressing the need for the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), Ombudsman, DOJ, and the judiciary to act decisively.
“Everything depends on the political will. 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,” the senator said.
Lacson clarified that plea bargaining should not mean leniency. “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.”
The government, according to him, could also recover more funds by going after insurance claims and expanding probes to other projects such as farm-to-market roads, school buildings, and multipurpose halls.
He also urged the government to draw strength from public outrage over corruption. “This anger should not diminish because this is where the government should draw its inspiration,” said Lacson.IMT
