Cagayan lawmaker, family face plunder over P10-B alleged DPWH contract haul

Billions of pesos in public infrastructure contracts os central in the plunder probe against Cagayan Rep. Joseph Lasam Lara and his family, with investigators examining alleged financial ties to construction firms doing business with the government.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Friday, Lara faces complaints for plunder and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act over alleged interests in companies awarded Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects. The complaint alleges that Lara and his relatives illegally amassed about P10.02 billion while he held public office.

An Anti-Money Laundering Council intelligence report cited in the complaint allegedly traced more than P1.9 billion in receipts to Lara from relatives, affiliated entities and DPWH offices from 2019 to 2025. Investigators also cited about P3.8 billion in alleged receipts linked to the DPWH and construction ventures, alongside P6.1 billion in additional financial interests allegedly acquired by Lara and his wife in connection with infrastructure contracts.

The probe covers three construction firms—JLL Pulsar Construction Corp., JDL5 Construction Corp. and Pulsar Construction Corp.—as well as Lara’s wife, children and daughter-in-law. Investigators allege that Lara failed to fully divest from construction firms while in Congress and that family members’ beneficial ownership of companies was concealed. The Constitution bars lawmakers from holding direct or indirect financial interests in government contracts during their term.

For the public, the investigation raises questions about who benefits from government-funded infrastructure projects and whether public officials complied with rules meant to prevent conflicts of interest. 

Remulla said investigators would scrutinize financial transactions and corporate arrangements to determine whether criminal charges are warranted. The allegations remain unproven, and Lara and the other respondents will have the opportunity to answer the complaints and present their defenses.