Lacson pushes multiagency probe into alleged Taguig reclamation

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Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Saturday stressed the need for a multiagency investigation into alleged reclamation activities along the Taguig side of Laguna Lake, saying government agencies should consolidate their efforts to address what he described as continued illegal reclamation.

In a statement, Lacson said the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), Land Registration Authority (LRA), Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Office of the Ombudsman and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should closely coordinate their efforts.

“The reclamation aspect is addressed by the PRA. Concerns on Laguna Lake are addressed by the LLDA. The DENR is involved because the reclamation involves the dumping of garbage. The Ombudsman is concerned with pursuing the appropriate cases, so it must be a composite team,” Lacson said in a radio interview.

Lacson said he had proposed the formation of a composite team during a conference at his Senate office.

“Is there a problem with it? We should consolidate our efforts because a huge area of Laguna Lake has been filled with garbage from the Taguig side, or Lakeshore, and it involves 170 hectares,” he said.

He described the ongoing earthworks as an act of “impunity,” saying “somebody feels he is above the law.”

On Friday, Lacson posted on X a video showing what he described as continued illegal reclamation on the Taguig side of Laguna Lake.

The video was taken during a joint on-site inspection of the Taguig Lakeshore area by a composite team composed of representatives from the Office of the Ombudsman, PRA, LRA and DPWH.

Lacson said the inspection team, composed mainly of lawyers and engineers, sought police assistance for security as the dumping of garbage continued.

He also said he would continue gathering evidence on the alleged reclamation activities.

“I will not dignify him but I will continue to gather evidence,” Lacson said, referring to insinuations from Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.

Taguig response

The Taguig local government unit (LGU), meanwhile, denied that the area shown in Lacson’s video was land presently possessed or used by the city.

“Contrary to what Senator Lacson wants the public to believe, the area shown in the peddled video does not involve any land presently possessed and used by the City of Taguig,” the LGU said in a statement on Saturday.

The city government said the area was instead a parcel of land claimed by private individuals and a neighborhood association.

“The City of Taguig did not issue any permit or authority in favor of any of the alleged private owners,” it added.

The LGU also rejected what it described as a “misleading narrative” surrounding Lacson’s video, which it called “curated footage.”

“The curated footage is presented to the public alongside sweeping conclusions about ‘illegal reclamation’ and ‘impunity’ by someone who believes himself to be above the law,” the city government said.

Taguig said it supported efforts to establish the truth but stressed that allegations should be based on facts and verified evidence.

“We must not allow unsubstantiated claims, misleading narratives, or innuendo to undermine the very cause we seek to advance. The fight against corruption must always be a fight for truth—not a contest of accusations,” it said. — MCG, GMA News