Tension sparks between Lacson, Marcoleta over state witnesses plea

Tension sparked between Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Senator Rodante Marcoleta early Tuesday morning during the Blue Ribbon committee hearing over an "opinion" of who should be considered to become state witnesses among the resource persons.  

Marcoleta, former chairman of the committee, questioned the answer of Lacson in a previous interview that former Bulacan 1st district assistant engineer Brice Hernandez is more worth it to enter the government’s witness protection program than contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya. 

“Foremost to my mind, Mr. Chair, is the integrity, the impartiality, and the objectivity of the proceedings of this committee,” Marcoleta said. 

“Mr. Chair, question is, does the chairman have the prerogative or the right to make judgment?” he added. 

Lacson, who is now the incumbent committee chairman, explained that what he said in the interview was his “personal opinion outside of the hearing or outside of this hall.”

“So don’t question my opinion, that’s my opinion,” Lacson said. 

Marcoleta said that he is not questioning Lacson’s opinion, but stressed that he is the chairman of the Blue Ribbon committee. The latter then suspended the hearing after tensions escalated in the session hall. 

During the suspended session, Lacson asked Marcoleta why he is so protective of the Discayas. 

“I am not protecting them. Buti sinabi mo ‘yan, Mr. Chair. Pwede ba nating i-record ito? Palagi niyong sinasabi I am protective of the Discayas. When I was chairman of this committee, sinabi ko na sa inyo, the only remedy provided under the law is for them to apply, if they qualify, under the process of witness protection program. That’s all what I did,” Marcoleta said. 

Lacson did not respond and resumed the session. He asked former Bulacan first district engineer Henry Alcantara to proceed with his statement.

This further infuriated Marcoleta. 

“I will register my continuing objection, Mr. Chair, I will question the objectivity of this proceedings, if you will not allow me to raise these points, maybe in the plenary this afternoon I will raise it,” he said. 

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa tried to calm Marcoleta after the tiff. —AOL, GMA Integrated News