Senator Rodante Marcoleta objected to a motion seeking to strike a video shown during Senator Imee Marcos’ privilege speech from the Senate records, arguing that no unparliamentary language had been used against the minority bloc or any institution.

Marcoleta said the motion was premised on Section 93 of the Senate Rules, which states that “acts and language which offend a senator or any public institution shall be deemed unparliamentary.”

“I have not heard any word from Senator Imee Marcos that offended the sensibilities of our counterparts in the Minority,” he said.

He questioned whether the chamber also intended to remove from the records statements made by Senator Risa Hontiveros in the said video, including her remark that while Vice President Sara Duterte remains in power, “a full-blown Duterte comeback is still a very real and present danger.”

Although Marcoleta said he personally saw nothing wrong with Hontiveros’ statement, he asked whether the same standard would be applied.

Marcoleta argued that the proceedings demonstrated the “vibrancy of democracy” in the Senate, noting that senators from various sides were given the opportunity to explain their positions before the public.

“Nakita natin the vibrancy of democracy in this Chamber. Isa-isa po silang nagsalita lahat, nabigyan ng pagkakataong ipaliwanag ang kanilang panig. Hindi po ba maganda ngayon na nakita ng taumbayan?” he said.

He added that although Marcos’ presentation was used during the proceedings, it also became an avenue for the public to hear all sides, with citizens ultimately serving as the “final arbiter.”

Marcoleta also raised concerns over what he viewed as double standards, recalling that one senator had previously shown a presentation slide containing an image of a document allegedly linking him to corruption.

“Nagsalita po siya sa media, dalawang beses, at paiimbestiga raw ako sa Ombudsman. Dahil po ba sa media nangyari ‘yun, at hindi dito? May diperensya po ba? Wala… Pareho lang ‘yun,” he said.

“Napakasensitibo natin sa ibang banda, pero hindi natin nakikita ‘yung ginagawa natin, on the other hand,” he added.

The senator then shifted to the issue of the alleged flood control scandal, saying the controversy was the reason tensions in the chamber had escalated.

“Bakit po hindi nasasagot hanggang ngayon ‘yung tanong ni Senator Risa. Bakit po tayo nagga-ganito ngayon? Alam niyo po kung bakit tayo nagkaganito? Kasi po matagal ko nang sinasabi, siyam na buwan na po ang nakararaan, ngunit ayaw nating ituloy ang pag-iimbestiga sa flood control scandal—isang pinakamalaking nakawan sa bansa,” he said.

Marcoleta likened the alleged anomaly to a family being robbed in broad daylight, with the perpetrators not hiding behind masks but instead wearing ties and barong tagalogs.

“Papaano hindi masisira ang kumpiyansa ng mamamayan kapag tinalikuran natin ang ganoong pananagutan?” he said.

He also weighed in on the enforcement of an arrest warrant within Senate premises, saying that had he been in the position of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III in the past, he would not have allowed the National Bureau of Investigation to directly implement the warrant inside the Senate.

Instead, Marcoleta said the NBI should have coordinated with the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms out of respect for the institution.

“Utang na loob, huwag dito,” he said.

Marcoleta further lamented what he described as the lack of support for his calls to continue the investigation into the flood control controversy.

“Mayroon po bang isa na sumama sa akin noong ako’y nagsasalita na parang si John the Baptist—ako na lang ang isang nagsasalita: ‘Ituloy natin ang imbestigasyon.’ Mayroon po ba silang lakas ng loob na samahan ako? Wala po,” he said.

“That’s why I’m objecting to the motion. Huwag po tayong balat-sibuyas,” he added.

Earlier, Senator Marcos declared she was opposed to alleged efforts to extend government officials’ terms, amending the 1987 Constitution, which she said was written against her family.

“Hindi ko inaakalang aabot sa punto ng buhay ko na ako, isang Marcos, magtatanggol (sa) 1987 Constitution, isang saligang batas na isinulat laban sa aming pamilya,” Marcos said, emphasizing the irony of her position as a Marcos defending the prevailing Constitution.