Cayetanos accuse LLDA of singling out Taguig

MANILA — Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and sister Sen. Pia Cayetano grilled the Laguna Lake Development Authority over allegations that the agency was singling out Taguig City by publicly disclosing investigations into reclamation projects.

“Ang Taguig may reputation. Taguig cannot speak for itself. Never mind my reputation,” Alan Peter said during the budget hearing for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Monday.

Construction projects in Taguig City, the Cayetanos’ bailiwick, were earlier suspended due to alleged illegal reclamation activities in Laguna de Bay. 

“Why do you make it appear in public na ang daming may masasamang nangyayari sa Taguig? And if you don’t, if that is not the intention, then why publicize for Taguig and you don’t publicize your work in other places,” Pia added.

Alan Peter also claimed that the agency had issued cease-and-desist orders against projects in Angono, Rizal, and Muntinlupa but had not publicized these cases.

LLDA General Manager Engr. Leopoldo Parumog, however, maintained that the agency does not selectively conduct its investigations or enforce regulations.

“Wala pong politikal, walang pinipili, lahat po aaksyunan,” Parumog told the lawmaker.  

“That’s a conclusion of law, conclusion of fact yung sinasabi mo,” Alan Peter however rebutted.

Parumog also denied meeting with Senator Panfilo Lacson, who had earlier raised concerns about alleged illegal reclamation activities along portions of Laguna Lake.

“How many times have you met with Senator Lacson?” Alan Peter said.

“Not yet po. Tumatawag po sila sa akin, baka pwedeng wag na ako pumunta kay senator, yun lang po ang sinabi ko,” Parumog responded.

Senator Risa Hontiveros who chaired the budget hearing suggested that the LLDA, along with the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), should submit in writing their responses to the questions raised by both Cayetanos before defending the DENR’s budget in the plenary.