Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said there may be a “mastermind” in each region overseeing alleged irregularities in the flood control program.
Lacson made the remark after Jinggoy Estrada asked whether he had identified a central figure behind the controversy.
“Bawat region o bawat district mayroong mastermind. For example, sa Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office pa lang, na-allocate kay Zaldy Co ang P3.5 billion. Sindikato ’yon,” Lacson said in a press briefing on Wednesday.
He was referring to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) office in Bulacan’s 1st district, whose officials were allegedly implicated in the controversy.
When asked if former congressman Zaldy Co could be considered a mastermind, Lacson disagreed.
“When you say mastermind, it implies a fully organized setup, like a mafia, where everyone follows you. I don’t think so. There may be particular congressmen—not necessarily Zaldy Co—who manipulate within their areas of influence,” he said.
On Tuesday, Lacson presented a partial report of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the flood control probe, but declined to answer questions from colleagues, saying he would do so only after the report is signed by a majority of panel members.
