The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation had barely opened on Tuesday, September 23, when tensions quickly flared between Senate President Pro Tempore and Committee Chair Ping Lacson and Senate Deputy Minority Leader Rodante Marcoleta.
The clash stemmed from Lacson’s earlier radio interview, where he said that in his view, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Assistant Engineer Brice Hernandez had a stronger chance of becoming a “state witness” than Sarah and Curlee Discaya of St. Gerrard Construction Company — whom Marcoleta has long been pushing for.
Questioning Lacson over the remark, Marcoleta asked if the Blue Ribbon chair had the right to voice such “judgement.”
Lacson replied, “No. That’s my perspective. That’s my personal opinion outside of the hearing so don’t question my opinion.”
From there, the exchange escalated.
“Mr. Chair, mag-iimbestiga muna tayo, right?” Marcoleta pressed.
To which Lacson shot back, “Ano bang point mo?”
“The point is an investigator cannot be judge at the same time, do not judge, ang importante rito is the objectivity, sinasabi ko na sa’yo,” Marcoleta retorted.
Visibly irritated, Lacson fired, “Are you trying to steal the show?” which Marcoleta denied.
The sharpest exchange came when Lacson asked, “Why are you so protective with the Discayas? Why are you so protective?”
Marcoleta responded, “I am not protecting them, mabuti sinabi mo yan Mr. Chair. Pwede ba nating i-record ito? Palagi nyong sinasabi, I am protecting the Discayas.”
He added, “While I was a Chairman of this committee, sinabi ko na sa inyo, the only remedy provided under the law is for them to apply and if they qualified, under the process of Witness Protection Program (WPP), that’s all what I did.”
Lacson eventually cut Marcoleta off and ordered the hearing to proceed.