Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson accused Senator Rodante Marcoleta of being “obsessed” with personally attacking him and defending China during a privilege speech on Tuesday, March 10.
Lacson’s remarks came as a direct response to Marcoleta’s previous comments questioning the handling of investigations by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC), which Lacson formerly chaired.
"Much as I would like to abide what my elders taught me, 'Silence is the best response to nonsense,' I'm constrained to take the floor to set the record straight and correct the prevarications exsputed on this very floor by... Sen. Rodante Marcoleta," Lacson said during his privilege speech.
Lacson said that Marcoleta would be the “bida” of his speech, suggesting that the senator seems intent on making himself the center of attention.
"Dahil gusto din lamang ni Senator Marcoleta na lagi siyang bida bilang dating chairman man ng BRC o sa usaping West Philippine Sea o anumang isyu involving China o di kaya ay sa usaping restitution ng mag-asawang Discaya, siya na nga ang tunay na bida sa aking magiging pahayag sa mga sandaling ito ngayong hapon," he added.
The tension highlights ongoing disputes between the two lawmakers over committee leadership and political issues involving China.
“Why the gentleman from Tarlac and Pampanga, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, has become so obsessed with chugging and bad-mouthing this representation as he has become obsessed with defending China,” Lacson said.
He added: “So obsessed that he had to resort to rigorous talking of all of my interviews and social media updates, nitpicking from every statement I uttered and tricking this august chamber to cry foul armed with nothing but his draining litany.”
Lacson explained that Marcoleta has closely monitored his interviews and social media activity, forcing him to address what he called “personal attacks” on the Senate floor.
The feud reportedly began after Marcoleta was removed as chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee and concerns surrounding investigations into the flood control controversy and alleged misconduct by 18 'former Marines.'
“Since Senator Marcoleta apparently knows every word I say in my media interviews and every move I make in this chamber, napilitan akong balikan ang napakaraming pagkakataon na ako ay naging paksa ng kanyang mga personal na atak,” Lacson said.
“Simula nang nasopla ko si Senator Marcoleta sa floor ay tila nagtanim na siya ng poot sa kanyang dibdib,” Lacson said.
He also accused Marcoleta of using public attention to make himself appear central to issues involving China, the West Philippine Sea, and other high-profile cases, including the restitution claims of the Discaya couple.
Lacson also said that Marcoleta did not disclose that his spouse is an Independent Director of the insurance company Stronghold Milestone Guaranty, which serves as the insurer for the Discaya couple, presenting a clear conflict of interest.
The "minority report" they issued regarding the flood control project investigation handled by the BRC was not in accordance with Senate rules, said Lacson.
According to Lacson, no one else should be blamed for the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) issue, as Marcoleta himself revealed during the Commission on Appointments hearing that he would simply “give up” the KIG.
Marcoleta, meanwhile, expressed skepticism over what he described as “special treatment” for Lacson, noting that the latter was allowed to deliver his privilege speech early in Tuesday’s session.
“Ako po'y nagtataka, kapag po pala si Sen. Ping Lacson and magdedeliver ng privilege speech, wala pa po tayong nate-take up na kahit ano, siya pala’y masyadong special sa chamber natin,” Marcoleta said.
He added: "Kasi po kapag kami, lalo na 'ko, minsan, patatapusin lahat muna... kapag ako nagde-deliver ng speech, wala na si Sen. Lacson. Gano'n pala siya kaimportante."
Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri clarified that Lacson was given the floor to respond to Marcoleta’s earlier accusations.
“‘Yung privilege speeches… [we put it] in the tail end of the discussions. Binanggit ni [Marcoleta] 'yung pangalan ni Sen. Lacson, so it's obvious that Sen. Lacson would like to respond,” Zubiri explained.
In his speech, Lacson stressed that he was not the instigator of their dispute and defended the integrity of his anti-corruption campaign, insisting that he would continue to act against wrongdoing despite personal attacks.
"Enough is enough, patuloy kayo sa pag-atake sa akin," Lacson emphasized.
