Two political science professors criticized Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s statement that the truth about corruption in the country’s controversial flood control projects had also been ‘imprisoned’ since his arrest on plunder charges.
‘No senator or government official or faction in government has the monopoly over the truth,’ Maria Ela Atienza, a professor at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, told the Inquirer.
A day after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address, Marcoleta expressed dismay over his continued detention, saying that not only he but also the Filipino people had been deprived of freedom.
Marcoleta was arrested July 6 on plunder charges stemming from campaign donations he received before the official campaign period began, when he was still a representative of Sagip.
‘It is truly saddening. I am saddened because I am not the only one imprisoned. The Filipino people are imprisoned as well,’ Marcoleta said. ‘What is imprisoned here? The truth that they have been searching for. Until now, it has not been given to them.’
But Jorge Tigno, also a professor at UP Diliman, reminded the senator that he ‘can still do the ‘exposing’ even in detention,’ noting Marcoleta’s claim that those allegedly responsible for the corruption scandal had yet to be held accountable.
Same ‘Duterte’ narrative
Atienza said the senator’s statement was ‘in the same narrative line of the Duterte family and their supporters who claim that they are ‘victims’ being targeted by the Marcos-led administration and majority.’
‘They are trying to paint themselves as the representatives of the people. However, no one is above the law and every government official needs to be accountable,’ she said. ‘If there is evidence of wrongdoing, the one needs to be subjected to trial.’
The nonbailable plunder case against Marcoleta stemmed from allegations surrounding P75 million in campaign donations. In a television interview, he acknowledged receiving the money for his candidacy but failed to declare it in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures.
A complaint filed before the Ombudsman stated that the donation exceeded the P50 million threshold for plunder and that the senator should also be charged with indirect bribery because the money was given to him based on his position or potential influence as a public officer.
Marcoleta, however, maintained that the case against him was politically motivated and said he ‘vehemently and categorically denies’ committing any of the acts that formed the basis of the criminal charges against him.
Only open to ‘his truth’
Atienza said Marcoleta’s statement should be viewed in the context of how he responded to findings from investigations led by other lawmakers, such as Sens. Panfilo Lacson and Erwin Tulfo, rather than by him or his allies.
Lacson succeeded Marcoleta as chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee when Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero was ousted as Senate president by Sen. Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III last year.
When Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano replaced Sotto, Sen. Pia Cayetano, not Marcoleta, was elected to head the committee. Marcoleta was instead named one of its vice chairs, along with Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.
During Marcoleta’s few months as chair, Lacson raised concerns about his move to have contractors Pacifico and Sarah Discaya placed in the Witness Protection Program. Marcoleta’s wife, Edna, serves as an independent nonexecutive director of two companies reported to have issued surety bonds to contracting firms owned by the Discayas.
Marcoleta said this did not constitute a conflict of interest.
‘It must be remembered that some of Marcoleta’s claims and witnesses are also questionable. He also did not support the partial findings of the Blue Ribbon Committee on the flood control scandals then led by Lacson,’ Atienza said.
Atienza said the senator was not open to other possible evidence or suspects: ‘He is only targeting certain individuals while shielding others from scrutiny.’
Since he is facing plunder and other cases, it would be better for him to subject himself to the Sandiganbayan and try to prove his innocence. He has other allies who can present their evidence to the proper channels, but these should also be subject to rigorous scrutiny,’ she said.