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No denial? Lacson twits Marcoleta for not refuting P500-M allocable claim

Philippines | National

No denial? Lacson twits Marcoleta for not refuting P500-M allocable claim

By Dhel Nazario

While Senator Rodante Marcoleta cried foul over the allegation that he sought P500 million in "allocables" from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson pointed out that he missed the most important reaction: denying it.

(Photo from OS Lacson)

(Photo from OS Lacson)

"He ‘deliberately’ missed the most important reaction: deny or refute the handwritten note (c/o Cong Marcoleta) on the document as presented," Lacson said in a post on X on Friday, May 8.

Last Tuesday, Lacson delivered a privilege speech presenting evidence and initial recommendations stemming from the Blue Ribbon panel's hearings so far on the flood control projects corruption scandal.

The presentation included a slide indicating Marcoleta requested P500 million in "allocables" for infrastructure projects, based on a handwritten note by the late DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral.

The document, provided by Cabral's camp, is among the pieces of evidence that the Blue Ribbon panel plans to transmit to the Office of the Ombudsman in its fact-finding and possible case buildup.

But Lacson also pointed out that Marcoleta would not be recommended for investigation for now - although such a recommendation may follow if there are ghost or substandard projects attributed to him.

On Wednesday, Marcoleta delivered his own privilege speech, fuming over his inclusion in the presentation in Lacson's speech, but without directly denying or refuting the P500-million request.

Marcoleta only stated that Lacson was casting doubt on his integrity.

Related Tags

Rodante Marcoleta Ping Lacson Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Allocable and Non-Allocable Funds

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