Senator Rodante Marcoleta criticized Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairperson, Senate Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson for not convening a hearing to investigate allegations by 18 alleged former Marines who allegedly delivered cash to several politicians.

In a privilege speech on Monday, March 9, Marcoleta questioned why the committee, chaired by Lacson, has yet to conduct an inquiry into the claims made by the group of supposed former soldiers.

The latest issue raised by Marcoleta involved Lacson’s statements casting doubt on the credibility of the former soldiers, who claimed they served as bagmen for former congressman Zaldy Co.

Marcoleta said the committee should hold a hearing on the revelations of the alleged former Marines, noting that they claimed to have accompanied Co in delivering money to several government officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr..

“Ano ang ginawa ng chairman ng BRC? Sa halip na iharap sa taumbayan at diretsahang tanungin sa kanilang mga pahayag, kaagad pinag-alinlanganan ang kanilang kredibilidad,” Marcoleta said in his speech.

“Bago pa man masuri ang kanilang mga salaysay sa harap ng Senado, tila ay nabuo na ang konklusyon sa mismong chairman na dapat sana ay magsiyasat dito,” he added.

Lacson earlier said he was studying the credibility of the individuals who identified themselves as former Marines and reviewing their testimonies before calling for an investigation. Senate Pro Tempore said that no one should cite figures that cannot be proven or justified with a reasonable basis. He also questioned the plausibility of the alleged cash deliveries, noting that the reported ₱805 billion supposedly delivered exceeds the government’s flood control budget from 2023 to 2025, which totals about ₱1.13 trillion.

Marcoleta, however, said the testimonies should not be dismissed without giving the individuals the opportunity to present their statements in a formal Senate hearing.

“Ipinagkibit-balikat na lamang ang kanilang mga salaysay nang hindi man lang binigyan ng oportunidad na sumagot sa mga konklusyon at teorya. Kung ang kanilang mga pahayag ay hindi kapanipaniwala, lalong nararapat na sila ay paharapin sa isang pormal na pagdinig,” he said.

The senator also took another swipe at Lacson’s leadership of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, citing alleged delays and the failure to invite certain witnesses in the ongoing probe on flood control funds.

He also asked whether other members of the Blue Ribbon Committee were consulted regarding the matter.

“Ang chairman lang po ba ng BRC ang dapat magpasya kung sino ang dapat ipatawag sa pagdinig kung dalawampu po ang bilang ng miyembro ng Blue Ribbon Committee?” Marcoleta said.

“Ano po ang nangyari sa pagsunod sa ebidensya? O piling ebidensya lamang ba ang susuriin, at ipipikit na lamang ang mata sa iba?” he added.