Discontent prods minority report

The assailed minority report on alleged anomalies in flood control projects was issued amid delays in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation and growing public frustration over the lack of concrete findings, according to Senator Rodante Marcoleta.

In a television interview over the weekend, Marcoleta said the report was prepared after the Blue Ribbon Committee failed to release even a partial report despite holding several hearings. 

He noted that public outrage has continued to mount as Filipinos await accountability over allegations involving billions of pesos in public funds.

To support his point, Marcoleta cited a video clip from a previous Kapihan sa Senado press conference in which Senator Panfilo Lacson said the committee was expected to release a partial report before the December break, something he said did not materialize.

Marcoleta rejected claims that their report was “disrespectful” or should be discarded, noting that some of its critics had admitted they had not read the document. 

Report, more than 100 pages

He emphasized that the report spans more than 100 pages, with annexes totaling over 400 pages, and that it consolidates the testimonies and documents presented during six hearings.

According to Marcoleta, the report details the alleged methods and schemes used in anomalous flood control projects. It includes recommendations, proposed legislative reforms, and a list of individuals who may face possible civil, criminal, or administrative liability. 

He stressed that the minority report was their contribution to the ongoing probe, particularly given that no clear timeline has been provided for the release of the majority report.

Marcoleta also raised concerns about the conduct of the most recent hearing. 

Going in circles

He said that, instead of focusing on the presence of key personalities, the discussion returned to the issue of inaccurate project coordinates, a problem he said had already been addressed in earlier hearings.

He further criticized the focus on the testimonies of two masked witnesses, recalling an instance when the committee chair appeared to answer questions on their behalf. 

Marcoleta lamented that instead of pursuing leads pointing to serious allegations of massive kickbacks, the investigation risked “going in circles.”

Despite his criticisms, Marcoleta said he remains ready to address the issues should they be raised when the Senate resumes its plenary sessions.