Sen. Rodante Marcoleta is urging the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to resume its investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects, citing indications that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez may be willing to address the issue.
In a radio interview, Marcoleta said Romualdez’s recent public remarks and video message suggest awareness of possible involvement by other individuals in the alleged anomalies tied to flood control projects and budget insertions.
He said the former Speaker’s statement questioning accusations against him, while stopping short of admitting responsibility, points to knowledge of other possible actors in the issue.
“Sa tanong pa lang na ‘How can I be the mastermind?’ parang alam niya kung sino ang mastermind,” Marcoleta said, adding that Romualdez did not categorically deny involvement in the broader issue.
The senator urged Blue Ribbon Committee chairperson Panfilo Lacson to act on what he described as an opportunity to continue the inquiry, stressing that Romualdez should be formally invited to testify.
“Malinaw sa public statement niya na ready siyang magsalita. I-cite na siya,” Marcoleta said.
Lacson earlier said Romualdez had been invited twice but did not appear before the committee. He explained that invitations to members of the House of Representatives are coursed through the Office of the Speaker, in line with long-standing inter-parliamentary courtesy between both chambers.
The Senate president pro tempore also noted that House lawmakers typically attend hearings on a voluntary basis, citing past appearances by other congressmen.
Lacson added that the committee is awaiting the required number of signatures on its partial report before proceedings can move forward. So far, six senators have signed the document, with three more needed before it can be submitted to the plenary.
Marcoleta, however, said he will withhold his signature unless all individuals linked to the alleged irregularities are fully investigated.
“Hindi puwedeng may maiiwan. No stones unturned dapat,” he said, stressing that all resource persons identified in testimonies should be summoned before the panel finalizes its report.
He also raised procedural concerns over the circulation of the partial report, saying members were given only digital access instead of printed copies and that the document lacked what he described as proper formal sign-off from the committee chair.
Marcoleta said these issues, along with what he described as incomplete hearings, prevented him from endorsing the report in its current form.
“Dapat malinaw muna kung final na ba o partial pa lang, at dapat may kumpletong proseso,” he said.
He added that the investigation should continue until all relevant witnesses have been heard, warning against concluding the probe prematurely.
Lacson, for his part, said senators are free to sign the report with reservations, noting that endorsement does not prevent members from introducing amendments or raising further questions during plenary deliberations.