During Tuesday’s plenary session on May 5, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Rodante Marcoleta reiterated his reasons for withholding his signature from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s partial report on the flood control investigation, labeling the document “unfinished” and lacking the collective consensus of the panel.
The issue escalated when Marcoleta attempted to interpellate Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson following the latter’s presentation of a progress report on the inquiry.
Lacson declined to entertain questions, stating he would only face interpellation once the partial report is officially submitted to the Bills and Index Division and sponsored on the Senate floor. Marcoleta criticized this stance as “very highly unusual,” questioning why Lacson demanded a majority of committee signatures as a precondition for debate.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III intervened to clarify parliamentary rules, noting that it is a senator’s absolute prerogative to accept or refuse interpellations. Sotto recalled historical precedents, citing how the late former Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago routinely declined floor questions after delivering privilege speeches.
While Marcoleta acknowledged this right, he argued that Lacson should not anchor his refusal on the administrative status of the report.
Blocked from a direct debate, Marcoleta delivered a manifestation outlining his objections to the preliminary findings.
“A partial report is basically unfinished,” Marcoleta argued. “An unfinished report cannot be assumed to have contained the final and collective judgment of all the members.”
The lawmaker insisted that the Blue Ribbon Committee should hold additional hearings and summon critical personalities.
Among those he listed were former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, former Justice Undersecretary Jojo Cadiz, former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co.
He also pressed for the testimonies of 18 former soldiers who allegedly possess vital information, noting that sworn statements executed overseas could easily be integrated into the probe via an apostille.
Marcoleta further questioned the panel’s handling of Singson’s aborted appearance, claiming an invitation was rescinded before the deadline to submit a sworn statement had even expired.
He also dismissed the invocation of inter-parliamentary courtesy, stressing that public accountability must always take precedence over legislative tradition.
Expressing personal dismay, Marcoleta admitted that his long-standing admiration for Lacson, dating back to his tenure as Philippine National Police chief, had been tarnished by the handling of the probe.
“Parang yung pedestal na aking hinangaan…unti-unting gumuho,” he remarked.
“Di po ba mas maganda na kumpletuhin natin yung report? Hindi partial,” Marcoleta added, while also raising procedural concerns over the fact that committee members were only sent digital files to print independently rather than being presented with a formal hard copy for signing.
He concluded with a call for legislative unity, urging the chamber to focus on uncovering large-scale irregularities to better serve the public.