Lacson says Marcoleta 'obsessed' with defending China

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson on Tuesday slammed Senator Rodante Marcoleta for the latter's supposed "ego-driven provocations," alleging that he has become "obsessed" in defending China. 

In a privilege speech, Lacson pushed back against what he calls a "political circus" initiated by Marcoleta. The two senators have traded barbs over matters concerning the West Philippine Sea and the flood control scandal. 

"Gusto rin lamang ni Senator Marcoleta na lagi siya ang bida, bilang dating chairman man ng [Blue Ribbon Committee], o sa usaping West Philippine Sea, o anumang issue involving China, o dili kaya ay sa usaping restitution ng mag-asawang Discaya," Lacson said. 

(Senator Marcoleta always wants to be the star, as the former chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee, or in any issue involving the West Philippine Sea, China, or the restitution of the Discaya couple.)

"Let me refresh our memory on the historical background of the animosities, or shall I say, why the gentleman from Tarlac and Pampanga, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, has become so obsessed with tagging and badmouthing this representation—as he has become obsessed with defending China in many fora," he added. 

Marcoleta rebutted, urging Lacson to instead attend an upcoming hearing to clarify positions on the West Philippine Sea. 

"Mr. President, pagkatapos isasama [niya] ang Kalayaan Island Group. Ano po ba talaga ang pinag-uusapan natin dito? 'Yung kapakanan ng bayan? Pinipilit po niyong pinagtatanggol ko ang Tsina," Marcoleta said. 

(Mr. President, he suddenly included the Kalayaan Island Group. What are we really talking about here? The welfare of the people? He is insisting that I am defending China.) 

"Pinatawag ko po ang NAMRIA (National Mapping and Resource Information Authority), ang Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, ang DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), si Justice [Antonio] Carpio, at saka 'yung propesor sa UP (University of the Philippines). Para once and for all, malaman po natin dito kung sino ang sinungaling, kung sino maka-Tsina, kung sino ang naggagaling-galingan at nagpapanggap na expert in international law. Sana po Senator Lacson, nandoon po kayo," he added. 

(I called NAMRIA, the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, the DFA, Justice Carpio, and the professor at UP. So that once and for all, we can know here who is lying, who is pro-China, who is pretending to know everything, and pretending to be an expert in international law. I hope Senator Lacson will be able to attend.) 

'Give up' KIG

Lacson also cautioned Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III in assessing Marcoleta's plea to amend the draft minutes of the Commission on Appointments (CA) national defense committee hearing on February 4, and remove his controversial "give up" KIG remark.

"Mag-ingat po tayo dito Mr. President, sa gusto niyang mangyari (Let's be careful, Mr. President, with what Marcoleta wants to happen). Your honor, being the chairman of the CA (Commission on Appointments) and some of us here as members, we must study diligently the legal implications of Senator Marcoleta's motion now pending before the CA," Lacson said. 

Marcoleta has drawn criticism over the statement, but he has repeatedly maintained that his words were taken out of context and that he did not intend to suggest removing the KIG from Philippine territory.

On Monday, Marcoleta also gave a privilege speech of his own, questioning Lacson why the Blue Ribbon Committee did not hold a hearing on the allegations of the 18 alleged former Marines, who claimed to have delivered suitcases of cash from former congressman Zaldy Co to various government officials and personalities.

Indirect bribery

Lacson further alleged that Marcoleta may be liable for indirect bribery for alleged non-disclosure of election donors in his statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) for the May 2025 elections.

When the Commission on Elections (Comelec) issued a show cause order (SCO), Lacson alleged, Marcoleta tried to backtrack by saying that he received the contributions when he was not yet a candidate as defined by the decision of the Supreme Court.

"I guess Senator Marcoleta and his legal team thought they were being smart by being technical about when these contributions were made. Pero ang nakakatawa Mr. President ay, wala nang mas lilinaw sa sariling pag-amin ni Senator Marcoleta—tumanggap sya ng pera para magkaroon siya ng utang na loob sa mga taong iyon—isang maliwanag na admission against interest," Lacson said. 

(I guess Senator Marcoleta and his legal team thought they were being smart by being technical about when these contributions were made. But the funny thing is, Mr. President, Senator Marcoleta's confession was crystal clear—that he accepted money so that owed a debt of gratitude to those people—a clear admission against interest.)

He stressed that Marcoleta was still a public official at the time he received the contributions, as a representative of the SAGIP party-list in the House of Representatives. 

"Bilang isang abogado, dapat alam ni Senator Marcoleta na dahil dito ay shoot siya sa balde sa kasong indirect bribery under Article 211 ng Revised Penal Code dahil member siya ng House of Representatives nang panahon na 'yun," Lacson said. 

(As a lawyer, Senator Marcoleta should know that because of this he can face a case of indirect bribery under Article 211 of the Revised Penal Code because he was a member of the House of Representatives at that time.) 

“Maliwanag sa batas na krimen sa mga public officials na tumanggap ng pera o gift 'by reason of their office' kahit walang pangako na particular act or omission sa nagbigay ng pera," he added. 

(The law clearly states that it is a crime for public officials to accept money or gifts 'by reason of their office' even if there is no promise of a particular act or omission from the person who gave the money.) 

GMA News Online reached out to Marcoleta's office for comment, but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

Show cause order

In November 2025, the Comelec issued a show cause order directing Marcoleta to explain his public remarks that he did not fully disclose his campaign donors in his SOCE for last year's midterm polls.

The SCO also sought his explanation over the alleged discrepancy between his SOCE and statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN).

According to Comelec Chair George Garcia, the investigation focused on his SOCE.

Marcoleta previously admitted that he did not declare the contributions he received for the May 2025 elections in his SOCE as his donors requested anonymity.

Based on his SOCE, the solon spent P139.9 million for his campaign in the midterm elections, higher than his declared SALN of P51,965,559. He declared zero donations. — VDV, GMA Integrated News