MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Rodante Marcoleta is demanding the immediate summoning of former speaker Martin Romualdez to the Senate’s flood control probe, a move that drew a fiery rebuke from Blue Ribbon committee chairman Sen. Panfilo Lacson over parliamentary protocols.
In an interview with radio dzBB yesterday, Marcoleta argued that Romualdez’s recent public defense – specifically his question, “How can I be the mastermind?” – is a tacit admission that he knows the true architect of the multibillion-peso anomaly.
“You know, when he asks such a question, it’s as if he knows who the mastermind is,” Marcoleta said. “And when he says that, then he doesn’t deny his involvement, that’s clear.”
Because the former House leader is seemingly “ready to talk,” Marcoleta criticized Lacson for placing too many conditions on resuming the hearings, urging the chairman to issue the summons immediately.
The unresolved questions surrounding Romualdez and other resource persons are the primary reasons Marcoleta refuses to sign the Blue Ribbon committee’s partial report.
He expressed concern that if the report garners enough majority signatures, Lacson might prematurely terminate the probe.
“I told the chairman, there are many things still to do to establish something. But no hearing has been called, only resorting to innuendos,” Marcoleta stated.
“Does it mean if, for example, I sign the report and becomes a majority, will he still call a hearing?” he added.
He also flagged the “suspicious” manner in which the draft report was circulated, noting how instead of hard copies, senators were given a web link to print the document themselves.
He noted the file contained an “OS Marcoleta” watermark but lacked Lacson’s official signature or instructions.
Marcoleta vowed he would only sign the document once “no stones [are left] unturned” and all necessary individuals have been thoroughly investigated.
Responding to the criticism, Lacson did not mince words, lecturing Marcoleta on the basic rules of legislative engagement.
Lacson explained that the Blue Ribbon committee cannot simply compel House members to attend without violating institutional respect, noting that the panel has already coursed invitations through Speaker Faustino Dy III at least twice.
“Ever since the Philippine Congress was inaugurated under a bicameral system, there has always been interparliamentary courtesy between the two chambers,” Lacson said in a statement.
“That’s why the Senate always courses all invitations to congressmen to appear and testify before our committee hearings through the Speaker of the House,” he added.
The chairman pointed out that the only exception to this rule is if lawmakers voluntarily submit themselves to the Senate, citing former and current congressmen like Toby Tiangco, Mark Leviste and Vicente Veloso.
Taking a direct swipe at Marcoleta’s impatience and critique of the committee’s procedures, Lacson added: “That’s why it’s called a time-honored tradition. Hasn’t that sunk into his head?” — Jose Rodel Clapano, Delon Porcalla