Senator Rodante Marcoleta on Tuesday, September 23 turned aggressive in insisting that the Senate and the government recognize the feasibility of turning contractors Pacifico “Curlee” and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya into state witnesses and to put them under the Witness Protection Program (WPP).

Marcoleta, a former congressman, made his point during the continuation of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into the anomalous, ghost flood control projects led by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.

The neophyte senator challenged Lacson’s perspective which he said was a remark he made in an interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel (BNC) which he said is “prejudicial or damaging” the proceedings.

“Mr. Chair you were interviewed in the Bilyonaryo channel by Ms. Pinky Webb. Basahin ko po, ‘Senator Ping, para sa inyo sino ba ang sabihin nating worth it o dapat na ikonsidera bilang state witness na ipasok man lang sa witness protection program? And you responded: ‘At this point between Discaya and Bryce Hernandez, Bryce Hernandez.’ Mr Chair, question is, does the chairman have the prerogative or the right to make judgement?” Marcoleta asked.

Lacson responded saying “That’s my perspective. That’s my personal opinion outside of the hearing or outside of this hall. So don’t question my opinion.”

To which, Marcoleta replied: “I’m not questionning your opinion, but you are the chairman of this committee. You are not interested in the prejudicial question I am going to raise, Mr. Chair?” Marcoleta said.

“Go ahead, raise your prejudicial,” said Lacson who was visibly irked by Marcoleta’s posturing. “You are questioning my opinion. Away tayo kaagad dito eh (we can fight here now),” said Lacson, who then banged the gavel and suspended the hearing.

When the hearing was resumed, Lacson turned to Marcoleta and asked him “Why are you so protective of the Discayas?”

Marcoleta, however, vehemently denied Lacson’s accusation saying he is not protecting them.

“I am not protecting them. Buti sinabi mo ‘yan, Mr. Chair. Pwede ba nating i-record ito? Palagi niyong sinasabi I am protective of the Discayas. When I was chairman of this committee, sinabi ko na sa inyo (I told you), the only remedy provided under the law is for them to apply, if they qualify, under the process of witness protection program. That’s all what I did,” Marcoleta insisted.

Lacson, however, ignored Marcoleta and proceeded with the hearing, asking former DPWH Bulacan first district engineer Henry Alcantara to continue with his testimony.

Marcoleta vowed to continue questioning the objectivity of the Senate blue ribbon committee proceedings, which he previously chaired before the Senate leadership change occurred, in plenary session.

“I will register my continuing objection, Mr. Chair, I will question the objectivity of this proceedings, if you will not allow me to raise these points, maybe in the plenary this afternoon I will raise it,” Marcoleta said.