Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson on Sunday clarified that he is not recommending that 80 percent of kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects be returned as payment for damages in exchange for lighter jail terms.
Lacson said the 80 percent figure was merely an example to show how much the government could recover if plea bargaining were used in corruption cases involving infrastructure projects.
“What matters is that the government must recover public funds lost to anomalous projects, not only through restitution but also through appropriate imprisonment for those found guilty,” Lacson said.
The veteran lawmaker explained that plea bargaining allows an accused to voluntarily admit guilt in exchange for a lesser sentence, provided the arrangement is approved by prosecutors and the court.
He emphasized that his proposal is not a compromise but a combination of restitution, or repayment of stolen funds, and retribution, or appropriate imprisonment for those found guilty.
Lacson earlier noted that investigations by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have found 421 ghost flood control projects among 8,000 inspected between 2023 and 2025.
He said these projects represent about five percent of all flood control contracts worth around P629 billion during the same period.
If those responsible, including contractors, local officials and DPWH personnel, return 80 percent of their illegal gains after conviction and plea bargaining, the government could recover at least P26 billion.
Further recoveries, according to Lacson, are possible from similar anomalous projects such as farm-to-market roads, school buildings and multipurpose halls.
“Of course, everything depends on the political will of those conducting the investigations like the ICI (Independent Commission for Infrastructure), Ombudsman, DOJ (Department of Justice) and the judiciary. The President can take the lead and initiative to pursue the direction towards this end,” he said.
