MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Friday told Malacañang not to “prematurely dismiss” allegations in the flood control scandal—especially those that say cabinet secretaries had backed the 2025 budget insertions. The senator said, instead of ignoring these stories, an inter-agency investigation must be held to avoid any perception of a cover-up. Lacson made the pronouncement after Presidential Communications Office Usec. Claire Castro earlier tagged accusations made by Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste as mere “hearsay” with “no probative value.” READ: Palace: Cabinet secretaries’ link to budget insertions still ‘hearsay’ “Instead of pursuing an honest-to-goodness […]... Keep on reading: Lacson to Palace: Avoid 'premature' dismissal of flood control allegations