Senator fires back at critics after ex-DPWH official tells Sandiganbayan he was the only lawmaker without a ‘commitment’
Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Friday, October 30, 2026, issued a sharp message to critics who have questioned his integrity, a day after a former public works official testified in court that Lacson was the only lawmaker who had no kickback deal on government infrastructure projects.
Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo made the statement on Thursday before the Sandiganbayan Third Division. Associate Justice Ronald Moreno asked him whether any legislator had refused the commitment fees tied to infrastructure projects. Bernardo said he knew of no congressman who turned them down, and that “only Senator Lacson” did not have any commitment.
Lacson thanked Bernardo for the testimony and said it should settle doubts about him.
“To the naysayers, let me be clear: I have never asked for or accepted allocables, leadership funds, bribes, or lobby money in any capacity in government. My greatest inheritance from my beloved parents, regardless of our station in life, is my integrity, and no amount of doubt can take that away,” the senator said in a statement.
The former Philippine National Police chief said he has always rejected pork barrel funds in any form, both as a police officer and as a legislator. He also recalled turning down bribe offers from gambling operators and other personalities linked to crime, as well as rewards offered by relatives of kidnap victims his team had rescued.
Lacson has been defending his record since Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano questioned the jump in his declared net worth in July. Lacson has explained that his wealth grew legitimately during his three years out of government after leaving the Senate in June 2022, and that the increase is reflected in his income tax returns for 2023 and 2024.
He has since submitted at least 45 case studies to the Office of the Ombudsman on alleged anomalies in flood control projects in Taguig City, Cayetano’s bailiwick.
Lacson also urged the public to stay alert as the Senate takes up the proposed 2027 national budget, after watchdog groups flagged thousands of questionable projects inserted into the House-approved version.