Senator Rodante Marcoleta has denied being part of what is referred to as the “Duterte bloc” in the Senate.
In an interview on Sa Ganang Mamamayan aired on Net25, the television network owned by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), of which he is a member, Marcoleta asserted that he is an independent-minded legislator.
“Hindi ako PDP-Laban eh, alam nyo naman na nung nangampanya ako maski nung 2022 eh adopted lang ako (ng PDP-Laban) kaya hindi ako alam kung bakit sinasabi nila na Duterte bloc ako,” Marcoleta explained.
He said the perception likely arose because he has fought for the rights of all Filipinos, including members of the Duterte family.
“Napagkamalan kasi tayo na Duterte bloc kasi nga nilalaban natin ang karapatan ng kahit na sino, nagkataon lang na ang mga karapatan ng mga Duterte ay kailangan ibigay ang due process para sa kanila,” he said.
Marcoleta also noted that he remains friends with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., but clarified that friendship will not stop him from pursuing investigations.
“Bakit ba pag binanatan mo yung kaibigan mo eh hindi mo na kaibigan?” he asked.
“Kasi ako ang ugali ko, kahit kaibigan pag may mali ka, sasabihin ko,” he added.
Among the investigations Marcoleta plans to pursue through the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee—which he currently chairs—is looking into the allocation of funds for flood control projects. President Marcos himself called for such a probe during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28.