Lacson links Marcoleta to P500-M allocables for DPWH infra projects

Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said Wednesday evidence showed that Senator Rodante Marcoleta was allocated P500 million in allocables for infrastructure projects by the late Public Works Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.

Lacson, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, said this will be part of the panel's upcoming transmittal to the Ombudsman, as well as key findings from its legislative inquiry into the multi-billion peso flood control scandal.

Allocable funds are the Department of Public Works and Highways' (DPWH) discretionary funds assigned to each congressional district. These are offered to lawmakers who may choose projects from a menu provided by district engineers.

"Mayroon pa nga roon na sulat-kamay ni the late Usec. Cabral na nag-allocate talaga siya based doon sa request ng allocables. Nakapag-allocate siya ng P500 million na mga projects kay Senator Marcoleta. Hindi kasama 'yun sa hawak ng Ombudsman. So, ipadadala namin 'yun kasi galing mismo 'yun sa kampo, sa abogado ni dating Usec. Cabral," Lacson told Super Radyo dZBB.

(There is a hand-written message from the late Usec. Cabral stating that she allocated P500 million worth of projects to Marcoleta. That is not part of the evidence under the custody of the Ombudsman. So, so we will transmit it to them since it came from the lawyer of Usec. Cabral.)

Lacson clarified that allocables are not illegal, but described them as inappropriate.

READ: What are allocable funds, said to be new pork worse than PDAF?

The pieces of evidence due from transmittal to the Ombudsman, as well as the Department of Justice (DOJ), are what Lacson described as a "matter of public record."

"Moving forward, I ordered the preparation of a transmittal letter to the Office of the Ombudsman to give all pieces of evidence—documentary, testimonial, and transcripts. It is now a matter of public record as I cited them in my privilege speech," he said in a mix of English and Filipino at the Kapihan sa Senado forum on Wednesday.

Asked if Marcoleta would be recommended for investigation by the Ombudsman, Lacson said not at this time.

"Sa ngayon hindi. Kung may ghost na attributed sa kanya, kung may participation siya sa naging ghost or substandard (Not at this time. It would depend if there are ghost or substandard projects attributed to him)," he said.

On Tuesday, Lacson delivered a progress report on the investigation into the flood control mess. He said seven senators have so far signed the partial committee report including himself, Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, and Senators Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros, Raffy Tulfo, Erwin Tulfo, and Kiko Pangilinan.

Lacson also maintained he would not entertain interpellation on the report pending its submission to the Senate plenary, as he continues to urge other senators to sign it.

No 'overall mastermind'

Meanwhile, Lacson said he does not believe there is a single overall mastermind orchestrating the massive flood control scandal. Instead of one central figure, he said they may be some individuals across regions or agencies behind the anomalous scheme.

"I don't think there's an overall mastermind," Lacson said at the Kapihan.

"I think sa bawat region or bawat district engineer, may mastermind... Based on evidence, walang isang tao na puwede mag-command sa lahat ng regional directors, not even the DPWH secretary. Mayroong mastermind... sa Bulacan, sa Mindoro pero mayroong interlocking interventions," he said.

(I think there is a mastermind in every region, or district engineers... Based on evidence, there is not one person who can command all RDs (regional directors), not even the DPWH secretary. There is one in Bulacan, in Mindoro, and what they have are interlocking interventions.)

Lacson added, "Kapag sinabi mong mastermind, fully organized. Parang mafia na lahat sa 'yo susunod, I don't think so. Based on evidence, mayroong particular cong, not particularly Zaldy Co, may cong-tractor na nagma-manipulate within his sphere of influence."

(If you say mastermind, then it's fully organized like a mafia. Everyone will follow one person. I don't think this is the case. Based on evidence, a certain contractor can only manipulate within his sphere of influence.)

The Blue Ribbon committee may resume its legislative inquiry before the Senate adjourns sine die on June 5 should it secure enough documentary evidence linking the allocables to ghost and substandard flood control projects. — VDV, GMA News