Senator Rodante Marcoleta had his reasons for withholding his signature from the preliminary report of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on alleged anomalies in flood control projects, including his questions about its preparation and completeness.

In a radio interview on DZBB, Marcoleta said he is withholding his signature on the committee’s initial findings because of what he described as irregularities in how the report was submitted to senators.

“May agam-agam ako sa pamamaraan. Hindi ko malaman kung partial final report ba ito o partial provisional report (I have misgivings about the process. I cannot tell whether this is a partial final report or a partial provisional report),” he said, adding that senators were only given a digital link and had to print the document themselves.

He also questioned the presence of a watermark on the printed copy, saying it was unclear who officially issued the document.

“Wala namang nakapirma kung saan galing. Hindi ko naman kayang gawin yun kasi hindi naman nakapirma yung Chairman (There’s no signature indicating where it came from. I couldn’t possibly do that because the Chairman himself hasn’t signed it.),” Marcoleta said.

The senator added that he believes further hearings are still necessary, saying several personalities have yet to be summoned.

“Ang dami mo pang dapat tawagin at puntahan para ma-establish natin talaga. Hindi ka naman tumatawag ng hearing tapos puro innuendo lang (You still have so many people to call and places to go to really establish things. You don’t convene a hearing only to rely on innuend),” he said.

Marcoleta warned against finalizing the report prematurely, saying it could affect further investigations.

On the broader investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control funding, Marcoleta also said developments involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez support continued scrutiny.

He pointed to Romualdez’s recent public statement questioning his own role in the controversy.

He added that Romualdez’s statement did not amount to a categorical denial of involvement.

“Hindi niya dineny yung kanyang involvement. Alam niya kasama siya (He did not deny his involvement. He knows he is part of it),” he said.

Marcoleta further argued that the complexity of the alleged scheme suggests multiple actors were involved and should be identified through continued hearings.

He said he is open to signing the committee report, but only after all necessary witnesses have been called and the findings are fully substantiated.

“Pag natukoy na natin lahat at maganda na ang kinalabasan ng report, pipirma na ako (Once we have identified everything and the report turns out well, I will sign it),” he said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson earlier said that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will be continuing its inquiry into alleged irregularities in flood control projects, with further hearings expected as the investigation progresses.