Senator Rodante Marcoleta pushed back strongly against Senator Erwin Tulfo’s controversial statement that “sometimes you have to bend the law to be able to please the people,” stressing that lawmakers cannot ignore or distort the law for expediency.

In an interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Marcoleta said Tulfo’s remark was “completely wrong.”

“Maling-mali naman ‘yon. Hindi ba palagi nating sinasabi no one is above the law. Kaya nga nandoon kami para gumawa ng batas eh. Eh kung ‘yong ginawa naming batas eh isasantabi natin at kinakailangan mauna munang mapaligaya natin kung sino unang gustong lumigaya at kahit baluktutin natin ang batas eh wala naman sa katwiran ‘yon,” Marcoleta said.

“Nakakalungkot nga ‘yon kung bakit niya nasambit ‘yon,” the Senator added.

The discussion stemmed from questions raised by program host Gerry Baja on whether former DPWH Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara—implicated in the alleged diversion of flood control funds—could avoid charges by simply returning the money.

Marcoleta explained that while restitution may be allowed under the law, it does not automatically shield individuals from liability.

“Eh kung halimbawa ‘yon ang sinasabi ng batas bakit naman hindi natin sundan, kaya ‘yong panimulang salita ko ‘yong kapag nangangatwiran ako palaging nasa batas,” he clarified.

The senator also recalled his time as chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, when he floated to the Discaya couple—also linked to flood control project anomalies—the possibility of becoming state witnesses.

“Klarong-klaro kung pinaliwanag ‘yon hindi lang sa kanya kundi pati doon sa 15 nandoon… Maaari kayong makaligtas sa criminal prosecution; ang magiging pananagutan niyo na lang ay ‘yong civil liability,” Marcoleta said, stressing that civil accountability cannot be waived even if one turns state witness.

He warned that potential witnesses should weigh their options carefully. “Timbangin niyo mabuti ‘yan kasi ito kako maaring maplunder kayo rito; sabi ko parehong may pananagutan dito,” he noted.

Marcoleta also detailed the strict requirements for witness protection. “May mga requisites doon. Kinakailangan mag-qualify kayo… Habang state witness ka na kasi ay kailangan ‘yong undertaking mo sa ilalim nung pananagutan mo bilang isang state witness ay talagang panagutan mo hanggang sa maipanalo n’yo ‘yong kaso,” he said.

“Kapag meron kang hindi pinananagutan halimbawa hindi mo napagtibay ‘yong nauna mong sinabi, kinakailangan ‘yong mga ebidensya mo magtugma doon sa iyong testimony," he added.

He also denied allegations that special arrangements were made with the Discayas for their protection.

“Buti naman diretso nilang sinabi tsaka mabilis silang sumagot wala pong ganoong nangyari at wala po kayong hinihingi kahit ano,” Marcoleta emphasized, dismissing rumors mentioned by columnist Ramon Tulfo.

The exchange has further fueled debate on accountability in corruption cases and whether restitution, state witness protections, or political compromises risk undermining the principle that “no one is above the law.”