Senator Rodante Marcoleta has once again criticized Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee chair Panfilo Lacson over the continued delay in releasing a committee report on the alleged flood control scandal, seven months after the Senate investigation began.
In a privilege speech delivered at the Senate of the Philippines, Marcoleta said the public has been waiting too long for the committee’s findings following the initial Blue Ribbon hearing.
“Ladies and Gentlemen of this Chamber, the people have waited long enough. It has been seven months since the first Blue Ribbon hearing,” Marcoleta said, noting that Lacson had previously indicated that a partial report would be issued.
Marcoleta revealed that his office received what appeared to be a draft version of the report on February 11, 2026. According to him, the document was transmitted as a PDF file with the watermark “OS MARCOLETA” across every page. However, he pointed out that the document did not carry Lacson’s signature, which he described as a standard requirement for official committee reports.
Meanwhile, Marcoleta also questioned Lacson’s earlier statement that there was no evidence linking former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to the controversy. He described the claim as “deeply troubling,” arguing that testimonies presented during the hearings suggested otherwise.
Marcoleta cited the testimony of businessman Orly Guteza, who allegedly claimed he delivered cash to Romualdez’s residence. He also referenced statements from former congressman Zaldy Co, who reportedly identified Romualdez and other officials as key figures in the controversy. Marcoleta added that at least two of the 17 lawmakers listed in what is known as the “Discayas’ list” were said to have mentioned Romualdez in connection with the issue.
According to Marcoleta, there appears to be a pattern where the credibility of witnesses is quickly challenged whenever Romualdez’s name is mentioned during the hearings.
In response, Lacson dismissed Marcoleta’s accusations and said the senator’s privilege speech lacked proper research. In a message to the media, Lacson insisted that Marcoleta’s office had already received both hard and digital copies of the partial committee report as early as February 11.
Lacson said he had already signed the report before it was circulated to members of the committee and questioned why Marcoleta had not signed the document even with a dissenting remark.
Marcoleta also criticized the committee for not inviting former Ilocos Sur governor Luis Chavit Singson to testify about flood control projects in Ilocos, the home region of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr..
Despite the dispute, Marcoleta said the Senate minority has already submitted its own observations and recommendations based on the first six public hearings, which it labeled as a “Minority Report.”