Senator Panfilo Lacson has claimed that Senator Rodante Marcoleta did not deny seeking P500 million in 'allocables' from the executive branch. This assertion was made following Marcoleta's recent privilege speech.
Lacson pointed out that Marcoleta deliberately avoided addressing the core issue: whether he requested the funds outlined in a handwritten note linked to the late Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
He deliberately missed the most important reaction: deny or refute the handwritten note (c/o Cong Marcoleta) on the document as presented.
Senator Panfilo Lacson
The noted document allegedly indicated that Cabral authorized the release of P500 million to 'Cong. Marcoleta.' Lacson intends to submit this letter to the Office of the Ombudsman for further investigation.
The term 'allocable' refers to funds earmarked for specific projects as part of government appropriations. Lacson clarified that the reference to 'Cong. Marcoleta' could pertain to either the senator or his son, Paolo Henry Marcoleta, a first-term representative.
In his privilege speech, Marcoleta argued that Lacson's statements misrepresented the context, suggesting that they were taken out of context and did not encompass the full narrative concerning the alleged allocation.
It was cut, not the whole picture. It has no sufficient context and it seems to refer to this representation that I asked for projects amounting to 500—whether it’s P500 billion, P500 million, or P500 thousand.
Senator Rodante Marcoleta
Marcoleta expressed frustration over being implicated in the controversy while other lawmakers mentioned in sworn affidavits were not named in Lacson's report.