Lacson: Marcoleta did not deny P500-M 'allocables' request

Senator Panfilo Lacson pointed out that Senator Rodante Marcoleta did not deny a supposed handwritten note from the late Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official Catalina Cabral, indicating the latter requested P500 million worth of allocable funds while serving as a congressman.

Lacson, chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, on Tuesday delivered a progress report on the investigation into the flood control mess.

Included in the slides was an alleged note from Cabral showing Marcoleta requested P500 million worth of allocables.

Allocable funds are the DPWH's discretionary funds assigned to each congressional district. These are offered to lawmakers who may choose projects from a menu provided by district engineers.

"He deliberately missed the most important reaction: deny or refute the handwritten note on the document as presented," Lacson said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

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

The Senate panel earlier said the documentary evidence will be part of their transmittal to the Ombudsman. However, it said Marcoleta will not be recommended for investigation "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...If there are ghost or substandard projects attributed to him)," said Lacson.

GMA News Online reached out to Marcoleta for comment.

Marcoleta on Wednesday delivered a privilege speech criticizing Lacson over the alleged allocables.

"Kung ang pag-indorso ng mga proyekto sa DPWH ay basehan ni Sen. Lacson ng pagpapaimbestiga sa akin, hindi ba't halos dapat na ang mga senador ay imbestigahan na rin?" said Marcoleta.

(If endorsing projects to the DPWH is his basis for recommending a probe on me, then wouldn't it be right to investigate almost all senators?) —LDF, GMA News