Senator Rodante Marcoleta on Tuesday, May 5, reiterated anew why he decided not to sign the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's partial committee report, which he called “unfinished” and lacking collective judgment.

In a manifestation, Marcoleta asked if Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson would yield to questions after the latter delivered his progress report of the flood control investigation, but Lacson declined, saying he would not entertain interpellations until the partial report is formally submitted to the Bills and Index Division and sponsored on the floor.

Marcoleta described the stance as “very highly unusual,” questioning why Lacson set a precondition that the report must first be signed by a majority of committee members before he would answer questions.

Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III explained that it is within a senator’s prerogative to yield or not to interpellation, citing past practice. He noted that the late former Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago would routinely decline interpellations after delivering privilege speeches.

Marcoleta maintained, however, that while Lacson has the right to refuse, he should not attach conditions tied to the report’s status.

Given the refusal, Marcoleta proceeded with a manifestation, explaining why he did not sign the partial report of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

“A partial report is basically unfinished,” he said. “An unfinished report cannot be assumed to have contained the final and collective judgment of all the members.”

He said he had earlier laid out his reasons in a privilege speech, including his expectation that the committee would conduct more hearings and invite additional resource persons.

Among those he said should have been invited were officials and personalities such as Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Undersecretary Jojo Cadiz, former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and former congressman Zaldy Co. He also urged the inclusion of 18 former soldiers who, he said, “have so much to say.”

Marcoleta emphasized that sworn statements executed abroad could be submitted through an apostille, which he said is recognized under rules adopted by the Supreme Court and comparable to notarization by Philippine consulates.

He also questioned the committee’s handling of Singson’s supposed appearance, claiming the former governor was invited to a hearing but that it was later canceled before the deadline given for submitting a sworn statement.

Marcoleta further criticized the invocation of inter-parliamentary courtesy, saying public accountability should take precedence.

He urged the committee to continue hearings, saying the delay has fueled public frustration.

Marcoleta also shared that he once admired Lacson, recalling his tenure as Philippine National Police chief, but expressed disappointment over what he described as a change.

“Parang yung pedestal na aking hinangaan…unti-unting gumuho (Like the pedestal I once admired…is slowly crumbling),” he said.

He questioned the purpose of Lacson’s privilege speech and pushed for the completion of the report instead of releasing a partial version.

“Di po ba mas maganda na kumpletuhin natin yung report? Hindi partial (Wouldn’t it be better if we completed the report? Not just partial),” he said.

Marcoleta added that the absence of a signed hard copy raised concerns for him, saying members were only provided a digital file to print on their own.

He then called for unity in addressing what he described as large-scale irregularities, saying the focus should remain on serving the public.