Alan Peter Cayetano spoke about the supposed “selective justice” in Taguig
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano slammed the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) at a Tuesday Senate hearing, charging that the regulator has actively targeted reclamation initiatives in Taguig.
Taguig is the bailiwick of the Cayetanos. For several years, Sen. Cayetano served as the representative of the lone district of Taguig-Pateros.
In a recent statement, based on the report from ABS-CBN News, the lawmaker asked PRA whether the rehabilitation of the Pasig River secured the necessary permits.
“Pag Taguig lakeshore, sinisilip niyo lahat, pero pag Pasig River, hindi. Pag ibang parts ng Laguna Lake, hindi,” Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said.
PRA Assistant General Manager Atty. Joseph John Literal clarified that the Pasig River Esplanade rehabilitation is not classified as a reclamation project.
He also explained that the structure is built on steel foundations rather than permanent landfills.
“Kasi wala sir permanent dumping… hindi po siya definition ng filling up,” the Senator stated.
Following Senator Ping Lacson’s revelation that the PRA had exposed alleged illegal reclamation activities, Cayetano defended the lakeshore development projects located on the Taguig portion of Laguna Lake in August.
During the budget hearing on Tuesday, Cayetano raised concerns regarding the PRA’s jurisdiction over Laguna Lake. He highlighted that the agency only asserted its mandate in 2025, which potentially encroaches upon the functions of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA).
“Sino ang may jurisdiction sa Laguna Lake?… It is only in 2025 that you first started to write everyone to try to assert jurisdiction. Tama po ba?” Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano asked.
Literal answered that as early as 1995, they already secured an overlapping jurisdiction with the LLDA because they are both clients of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC), which serves as the official legal counsel for both the LLDA and PRA.
Cayetano noted he does not oppose the PRA’s coordination with the LLDA, but he urged the agency to maintain strict neutrality while executing its mandate.
“You never questioned that. Reclaim nang reclaim ang gobyerno through the LLDA. Walang problema kung every year nag-aaway kayo ng LLDA… Pero kung 20 years na, 15 years na nagko-construct sa side namin, at may problema ang PRA [at] LLDA, hindi kami ang maiipit sa gitna,” the Senator said.
