Issue of Discayas’ protection pits Marcoleta vs Ping, Boying
The Senate’s continuing inquiry into flood control projects on Tuesday saw not only more damning testimonies from dismissed engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) but also tense exchanges involving two senators and a Cabinet official early in the proceedings.
The blue ribbon committee hearing began with its former chair, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, questioning his successor, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, over a recent media interview where the latter was asked to choose the “more worthy” candidate for state witness—contractor couple Pacifico “Curlee” and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya or dismissed public works engineer Brice Hernandez.
“Does the chairman have the prerogative or the right to make [that] judgment?” Marcoleta asked, addressing Lacson, noting that the sitting committee chair had chosen Hernandez.
A stern-looking Lacson explained that what he gave in the interview was a “personal opinion outside of the hearing,” which he said Marcoleta couldn’t question.
Lacson suspended the hearing apparently to de-escalate, but Marcoleta continued to speak: “Why are we trying to prejudge this? We are still in the process of investigation.”
To which Lacson snapped back: “Why are you so protective of the Discayas? Why are you so protective?”
When the hearing was officially resumed, Marcoleta asked that the remarks made during the break be put on record.
‘Restitution’
Next to have a verbal tussle with Marcoleta was Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, whom the senator also questioned over his earlier statements that the Discayas must first return the wealth they had amassed from government contracts before being admitted to the Witness Protection Program (WPP).
Marcoleta argued there is no provision in Republic Act No. 6981, the law establishing the WPP, requiring “restitution” for anyone to be state witness.
“It’s not in the law,’’ Remulla replied. “But for me, sir, it’s not only in the law that this is dictated. It’s also what is morally right, what is expected of us.”
In earlier statements, Marcoleta maintained that such a condition could not be imposed on the Discayas since it would also entail determining exactly how much money should be returned.
“Mr. Secretary, are you amending the provision of the law?” the senator asked, again confronting Remulla.
“No, sir,” the justice chief said. “We are operating on a unique set of facts, and all of these matters being evaluated on the gravity of this financial crime cannot be underestimated.”
Marcoleta tried to have the last say in the exchange with a warning: “You do not change the provision of law, Mr. Secretary. You may be disbarred for doing this.”
But Remulla had the closing retort: “Then it’s your opinion. It’s your option, sir. If this is what you wish to happen, you may proceed with what you wish.”
