Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano allegedly pressured the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) to halt an investigation into reclamation works in Taguig City that were reportedly carried out without permits, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Monday.
Lacson said the PRA had confirmed that the reclaimed property was developed without securing the required clearances from the agency.
He acknowledged that the land may be serving local residents, but said the project still had to comply with existing laws and procedures.
According to Lacson, the PRA initially sought to investigate the lack of permits but later faced pressure that caused the inquiry to stall.
He alleged that Cayetano threatened to suspend deliberations on the Office of the President’s budget, which Lacson said placed pressure on the reclamation agency.
Lacson added that the PRA is now set to revisit the matter and conduct another investigation into the Taguig reclamation.
He said the review could eventually lead to a resolution involving the possible forfeiture of the reclaimed land if violations are established.
Cayetano had not issued a response to the latest allegation as of the report.