MANILA – Senator Panfilo Lacson presented what he described as new evidence of alleged double billing and double collection involving infrastructure projects in Taguig City, saying the findings would be submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman or presented before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

In a statement, Lacson said one case involved two separate infrastructure projects that allegedly used the same photograph to support billing despite having different appropriations, technical descriptions, locations and contractors.

“TAGUIG GHOST INFRA PROJECTS UPDATE #4: Two different projects, two distinct appropriations, two different technical descriptions and locations, two different contractors, but sharing the same photo for billing purposes. Status: both billed and collected.”

He also cited another case involving what he alleged was a single slope protection project that received two separate budget appropriations and was billed twice.

“(The second case involves) One slope protection project, one location, one technical description, two separate budget appropriations. Status: both billed and collected.”

Questioning the transactions, Lacson asked:

“Are these not criminal acts?”

The senator said the latest findings add to the evidence his team has gathered in its investigation of alleged anomalous infrastructure projects in Taguig City, adding that the information would either be turned over to the Ombudsman or presented during Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings.

“The full details and pieces of evidence will be turned over to the Ombudsman or presented during the Blue Ribbon Committee hearings when called,” Lacson said.

Lacson also said a person’s character is revealed by how they respond when their integrity is challenged.

“BE NOT AFRAID. When one’s integrity is attacked, his character is revealed and tested. The guilty bargains and pleads; the innocent stands his ground and challenges his attacker on even terms,” he said in a separate post on X.

He noted that “Be Not Afraid” was the name of the coalition he launched in 2005 to promote accountability and encourage citizens to stand against corruption.

Lacson recalled that he had previously faced allegations during the Arroyo administration, including claims that he maintained large bank accounts in the United States. He said he disproved those allegations by signing a waiver allowing access to the purported accounts and challenging his accusers to verify the claims.

He added that his recent efforts to explain the increase in his net worth also led to the discovery of evidence pointing to alleged anomalies involving slope protection and drainage projects in Taguig City.

Lacson maintained that the investigation is aimed at ensuring accountability rather than settling personal differences.

“This is not about friendship or personal fights, this is about accountability,” he said.