By Benny Reyes
MANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson questioned Thursday the credibility and timing of recent claims linking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to a massive flood control cash scandal.
The allegations came during a press conference at Club Filipino, where lawyer Levito “Levi” Baligo claimed Marcos had ordered P805 billion in kickbacks to officials, including former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and ex-Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co.
Lacson suggested the timing may be politically motivated, coinciding with the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolution and ongoing International Criminal Court hearings on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
“It appears there’s a political color to this, and possibly an attempt to destabilize the government,” Lacson said. He also noted the significance of Club Filipino, historically tied to the oath-taking of former President Corazon Aquino after the Edsa revolt that ousted Marcos’ father.
Calling the alleged P805 billion “mind-boggling,” Lacson highlighted that total flood control funds from 2023 to 2025 were only P1.3 trillion. “If Zaldy Co. supposedly received P805 billion, that would allocate roughly 70 percent of the budget to a single person, leaving most projects unrealized,” he said.
Lacson also questioned the feasibility of moving such a sum in cash, which would require over 13,000 large suitcases.
While scrutiny continues on former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara, Lacson’s comments signal increasing skepticism among lawmakers about both the numbers and the timing of the allegations.
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