Lacson warns recanting ex-DPWH officials may face perjury charges

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Sunday, January 11, warned that former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials who withdraw their sworn statements on anomalous flood control projects could face perjury charges, while stressing that any recantation would not weaken the cases being built against those implicated.

Lacson said recanting witnesses may be held liable under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 11594, which increased the penalty for perjury.

“If they will recant, they may be liable for violating the law on perjury, Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code as amended by RA 11594, which raises the penalty for perjury to up to 12 years.

This is aside from a penalty of ₱1 million and perpetual absolute disqualification if the offender is a government official,” he said in an interview on DZBB.

He emphasized that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation into the flood control project scandal would proceed regardless of any attempt to retract sworn statements.

“Their statements are not standalone evidence. The case won’t die or collapse on the basis of their recantation,” Lacson said.

According to Lacson, the committee has already uncovered circumstantial and documentary evidence, including budget book entries that link personalities—lawmakers included—to questioned flood control allocations. He said these records had been presented in previous Blue Ribbon hearings.

Lacson added that parallel investigations are underway, with the Department of Justice (DOJ) probing possible criminal liability and the Anti-Money Laundering Council initiating the freezing of bank accounts connected to the alleged scheme.

He also pointed to the actions of former DPWH Bulacan engineers Henry Alcantara and Brice Hernandez, who he said had already turned over cash and vehicles to the government. Lacson said these acts indicated an admission of wrongdoing on their part.

The senator said he would not discount the possibility that some of those implicated may have attempted to influence former DPWH officials.

“I won’t wonder if some of those implicated may have reached out to the ex-DPWH officials through their lawyers,” he said.

Lacson announced that the next hearing of the Blue Ribbon Committee has been set for January 19 at 1 p.m., during which the panel will subpoena individuals who previously failed to appear.

These include former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, former undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, Meynard Ngu, and former lawmaker Elizaldy Co.

“If those who are subpoenaed still fail to attend, I will recommend to the Senate President the issuance of warrants for their arrest,” Lacson said. “Olaivar and company were invited but did not show up. We already subpoenaed them. If they still won’t show up, we can issue warrants for their arrest.”

He said the committee also wants to clarify with the Budget Department and the Office of the Executive Secretary how a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) that allowed the release of ₱50 billion from unprogrammed appropriations was issued on December 27, 2024, adding that documents made public by Rep. Leandro Leviste bear similarities to records already in the committee’s possession, subject to authentication by the DPWH.

Lacson also addressed criticism of the Blue Ribbon Committee from Senator Imee Marcos, saying her claims were baseless given that she did not attend hearings he chaired.

The senator also defended time limits on questioning as necessary to ensure fairness among senators and denied barring references to personalities such as Martin Romualdez.

Lacson said he remains puzzled by what he described as efforts by some senators, including Rodante Marcoleta, to disrupt the inquiry and question his objectivity as committee chair.

“The problem is that there are those who want to disrupt the investigation. I don’t know what their end game is,” he said.