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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcoleta laments lack of support from minority amid Estrada's arrest

Marcoleta laments lack of support from minority amid Estrada's arrest

Published Jun 2, 2026 02:09 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator Rodante Marcoleta denied that senators intentionally boycotted the session, saying his absence was influenced by disappointment over recent events.
  • He criticized what he described as disrespect toward Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano during discussions on Estrada's arrest.
  • Marcoleta said some senators failed to show basic support and encouragement to Estrada as he was arrested.
Senator Rodante Marcoleta said on Tuesday, June 2, he did not see a single senator from the minority bloc offer words of encouragement to Senator Jinggoy Estrada as he faced arrest.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada arrives at the Sandiganbayan for his arraignment hearing on graft charges filed against him in relation to flood control scandal on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Santi San Juan)
Senator Jinggoy Estrada arrives at the Sandiganbayan for his arraignment hearing on graft charges filed against him in relation to flood control scandal on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Santi San Juan)
"Sana man lang isa sa kanila o dalawa, tatlo man lang nandoon para alam mo na, kahit kortesiya lang, 'Sen. Jinggoy, nasa likod mo kami, huwag kang mawalan ng loob,'" he said in a DZBB interview.
According to Marcoleta, simple gestures of support and solidarity would have gone a long way despite political disagreements within the Senate.
Marcoleta also clarified that his decision not to attend Monday's plenary session was driven by personal feelings over the treatment of Estrada and Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
Marcoleta said he felt members of the majority bloc were "belittled" during the events surrounding Estrada's arrest.
"Hindi man lamang kami pinagbigyan, sinigawan nang sinigawan ang Senate President. Bakit naman ganun ang naging pagtrato? (We weren’t even given a chance; the Senate President was shouted at again and again. Why was he treated that way?)" Marcoleta said.
Asked whether he would continue to skip Senate sessions as a form of protest, Marcoleta said he was not staging a protest but was reacting to what he perceived as disrespect toward their group.
"Hindi ako nagpo-protesta. Yung damdamin ko kahapon ang namayani dahil bakit ganito na ang pagtrato sa amin? Minaliit kaming masyado (I’m not protesting. What prevailed yesterday was my emotion, because why are we being treated this way? We were belittled too much)," he said.
Marcoleta likewise defended Cayetano, stating the Senate leader should have been accorded respect during discussions with Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on the implementation of the arrest warrant against Estrada.
He recalled an exchange in which Cayetano was attempting to explain an agreement regarding Estrada's arrest when, according to Marcoleta, the Senate President was repeatedly interrupted.
He argued that critics failed to consider the atmosphere inside the Senate during Estrada's arrest and questioned whether members of the opposing bloc had shown support for their colleague.
He maintained that his reaction stemmed from disappointment over what he viewed as a lack of courtesy toward both Estrada and the Senate leadership.

Related Tags

Jinggoy Estrada Rodante Marcoleta Senate of the Philippines Alan Peter Cayetano
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