‘Shut the f— up!’ Lacson tells critics what Senate flood control corruption probe has accomplished

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate blue ribbon committee resumed on Monday afternoon, January 19, its investigation into the trillion-peso flood control and infrastructure corruption, with chairman Panfilo Lacson addressing criticisms that the process has not led to substantial results.

Lacson cited the investigations started by other government agencies, the cases filed with the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan, the resignation of several alleged key players in the manipulation of the national budget, as well as the media’s help in getting ordinary Filipinos — “in households, in barbershops” — pay attention and speak their minds on the massive corruption uncovered by the Senate probe.

He also made references to the two anti-corruption rallies staged in Metro Manila and other key cities spurred by the investigation in September and November 2025.

Rappler’s exclusive investigative reports, which uncovered how politicians-cum-contractors or their relatives bagged multi-billion-peso contracts, also provided leads to government investigators since last year.

Watch Lacson’s opening statement during Monday’s Senate hearing, where he told critics to “Shut the f— up” in downplaying his committee’s accomplishments so far.

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– Rappler.com