Ping Slams 'Shameless Hypocrites' in Flood Control Anomalies

Sen. Ping Lacson branded as "shameless hypocrites" the lawmakers who applauded President Marcos' State of the Nation Address (SONA) calling out anomalies in flood control projects.

- – Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Janvic Mateo, Jose Rodel Clapano, Rainier Allan Ronda

Lacson found it ironic, noting that some members of Congress are sure to be involved in allocating funds for the graft-tainted projects.

"I would like to think that the standing ovation during the President's SONA meant that there were still members of Congress whose hands remain unsoiled by grease money from the graft-ridden flood control projects," Lacson said on X.

“The others who also applauded were simply shameless hypocrites,” he added.

Lacson said he noticed that some lawmakers were hesitant in joining the standing ovation, as if stunned by the President’s rebuke of their corrupt acts.

Lacson said infrastructure projects have long been tainted with corruption, as he cited Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong as saying lawmakers’ cut in flood control and other projects reaches 35 to 50 percent.

At the height of the pork barrel scam in the 2010s, Lacson said lawmakers pocketed a whopping 65 percent of taxpayers’ money for “ghost projects,” with the convicted entrepreneur mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles getting 35 percent.

A lawmaker friend also told Lacson that in 2022, 67 House members were contractors in government.