Cayetano confronts PRA, cries ‘selective justice’

MANILA, Philippines — Facing an investigation for unauthorized reclamation activities in Laguna de Bay, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday confronted officials of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) and accused them of “selective justice.” At the Senate hearing on the PRA’s proposed 2027 budget, Cayetano grilled officials about coordinating with Sen. Panfilo Lacson in tracking land reclamation titles in Taguig.

At least 13 titles covered 170 hectares of “unauthorized encroachment” on the Taguig portion of Laguna de Bay, Lacson said earlier.

Some of the titled areas remain underwater and the 170 hectares account for nearly one-third of about 560 hectares of reclaimed area covering portions of Laguna de Bay in Rizal and Laguna, Lacson said.

Claiming that the PRA appeared to be engaged in “selective justice,” Cayetano slammed the agency’s supposedly uneven enforcement of reclamation rules.

Projects in Taguig have been issued a cease-and-desist order while the Laguna Lake Road Network project, which involves road construction and reclamation along Laguna de Bay, proceeds, Cayetano said.

“I’m trying to see if you are doing selective justice here. You have two projects: one is more than 10 times bigger, one is 10 times smaller, same proponent. One is even more useful than the other,” he lamented.

Blaming the city government for allegedly fraudulent titles is unfair, Cayetano said.

Responding to Cayetano’s comments, PRA chair Alexander Lopez clarified that they did not call the land reclamation titles fake.

Cayetano said the PRA’s coordination with Lacson has “crucified” the reputation of Taguig, his political turf with wife Mayor Lani Cayetano.

Despite Cayetano’s tirades, the PRA’s budget sponsor Sen. Erwin Tulfo has approved the agency’s funding proposal and referred it to the plenary for debate.