Malacañang: No cover-up in Taguig ghost projects
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has called for a deeper probe into alleged ghost projects in Taguig City, assuring the public that there would be no cover-up in the government’s continuing investigation of anomalous flood-control projects.
Palace press officer Claire Castro made the statement after Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon gave conflicting findings into the questioned flood control projects in Taguig City.
Castro said she spoke with Dizon, who clarified that he was referring to confirmed ghost projects when he was asked by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano during the budget hearing on Friday.
Dizon said there were no “ghost projects” in Taguig, the bailiwick of the Cayetanos.
Lacson, who exposed the supposed ghost projects in Taguig, then said DPWH’s own records show one of the city’s project sites geotagged in Leyte province, which is 600 kilometers away from Taguig.
“He is neither confirming nor denying their existence. He has clarified this point, and a more thorough investigation is needed and there will be no cover-up,” she added.
Castro said the DPWH is currently investigating the coordinates.
Dizon clarified that he has not cleared Taguig City on ghost infrastructure projects, saying the DPWH has flagged cases of anomalous projects in the locality, but these are still undergoing further validation and investigation.
During his testimony, Dizon said he meant that there were none “conclusively” found as ghost or non-existent projects in Taguig City.
“Now is the time for me to explain this fully,” Dizon told reporters during an inspection of a flood control project in Talomo, Davao City yesterday morning.
“I was asked: how many projects have been conclusively found to be ghost projects in the whole country? My answer was 10. And there was a follow-up question: of those 10, are there projects in Taguig City? My answer was ‘none,’” Dizon said. “That was the full context.”
“So maybe, we should not draw conclusions prematurely because the investigation is still ongoing,” Dizon said. “We are validating continuously.”
Lacson warned Dizon of criminal liability if he helped cover up the alleged ghost projects in Taguig. — Rainier Allan Ronda, Marc Jayson Cayabyab
abtestabtest Election lawyer seeks TRO vs law moving barangay, SK polls to 2028 By Ian Laqui | 1 day ago He asks the Supreme Court to strike down the law moving the polls to 2028. Headlines Lord Allan Velasco out of Philippines, BI confirms By Ian Laqui | 17 hours ago No hold departure order or derogatory record prevented the ex-speaker's exit. Headlines ‘VP can’t be compelled to admit bank accounts’ By Marc Jayson Cayabyab | 10 hours ago The Senate impeachment court yesterday denied the prosecution’s request for admission to compel Vice President Sara... Headlines Gatchalian vows to block Sandigan budget cut By Neil Jayson Servallos | 10 hours ago Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has vowed to block a proposed P551-million budget cut for the Sandiganbayan, arguing that... Headlines Sara Duterte trial recap, Sept. 29: Baste Duterte on the stand By Cristina Chi | 18 hours ago Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte testified at the impeachment trial of his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, on Tuesday,... Headlines Latest More in Headlines Piston continues strike; Manibela ends protest Action pushed vs gender-based violence online Comelec prepared to comply with SC ruling on BSKE BI, NBI confirm Velasco, wife out of Philippines abtest DOH: Leptospirosis cases up, dengue down By Rhodina Villanueva | 10 hours ago The number of leptospirosis cases in the country is increasing, with nearly 12,000 infections recorded this year, while dengue... Headlines Authorities closing in on youth ‘groomers’ By Mark Ernest Villeza | 10 hours ago Authorities are closing in on people allegedly grooming minors into criminal activities, Interior and Local Government Secretary... Headlines Senators to DOT: Keep ‘Love the Philippines’ By Marc Jayson Cayabyab | 10 hours ago Senators have asked the Department of Tourism to stand by its present “Love the Philippines” campaign so it can... Headlines DENR: Clean energy vital to national security, sovereignty By Josiah Antonio | 10 hours ago Transitioning to renewable power is essential to protecting the Philippines against international supply shocks and geopolitical... Headlines ICC rejects Duterte camp’s request on digital evidence By Janvic Mateo | 10 hours ago Trial judges of the International Criminal Court have rejected the request of the defense team of former president Rodrigo... Headlines Recommended Baste: I would have blocked GenCorp deals 10 hours ago Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte faced the Senate impeachment court yesterday as a hostile witness,... HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE Gatchalian vows to block Sandigan budget cut 10 hours ago Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has vowed to block a proposed P551-million budget cut for the Sandiganbayan, arguing that... HeadlinesSHERWIN GATCHALIAN ‘VP can’t be compelled to admit bank accounts’ 10 hours ago The Senate impeachment court yesterday denied the prosecution’s request for admission to compel Vice President Sara... HeadlinesIMPEACHMENT Cash houses September 30, 2026 - 12:00am Perhaps because Father Flavie Villanueva found him deserving of being heard, dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso may face less skepticism about his story of grand thievery allegedly involving Vice President Sara...r HeadlinesRODULFO GRACIOSO Lord Allan Velasco out of Philippines, BI confirms 17 hours ago No hold departure order or derogatory record prevented the ex-speaker's exit. HeadlinesBUREAU OF IMMIGRATIONCORRUPTIONIMMIGRATION next Recommended Baste: I would have blocked GenCorp deals Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte faced the Senate impeachment court yesterday as a hostile witness, reiterating that he was unaware that his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, had a business interest in GenCorp Industries Inc. 10 hours ago SARA DUTERTE Gatchalian vows to block Sandigan budget cut Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has vowed to block a proposed P551-million budget cut for the Sandiganbayan, arguing that the anti-graft court needs more funding to handle a surge of high-profile cases involving lawmakers. 10 hours ago SHERWIN GATCHALIAN ‘VP can’t be compelled to admit bank accounts’ The Senate impeachment court yesterday denied the prosecution’s request for admission to compel Vice President Sara Duterte to admit to some pieces of evidence, including the ownership of bank accounts, as it will be equivalent to self-incrimination. 10 hours ago IMPEACHMENT Cash houses Perhaps because Father Flavie Villanueva found him deserving of being heard, dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso may face less skepticism about his story of grand thievery allegedly involving Vice President Sara Duterte and former House speaker Lord Allan Velasco. 10 hours ago RODULFO GRACIOSO Lord Allan Velasco out of Philippines, BI confirms No hold departure order or derogatory record prevented the ex-speaker's exit. 17 hours ago BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION CORRUPTION IMMIGRATION OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!
