MANILA – Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee chair Panfilo Lacson stood by the established procedure in inviting members of the House of Representatives to Senate hearings, underscoring the importance of inter-parliamentary courtesy in the ongoing inquiry into alleged flood control anomalies.

Lacson said invitations extended to sitting House lawmakers are formally coursed through the Office of the Speaker, consistent with long-standing practice under the country’s bicameral legislative system.

“Mula pa nung unang nagbukas ang Philippine Congress under a bicameral system, umiiral na ang inter-parliamentary courtesy between the two chambers (Since the Philippine Congress first operated under a bicameral system, inter-parliamentary courtesy between the two chambers has already been observed). That’s why the Senate always courses all invitations to congressmen through the Speaker,” Lacson said in a message to reporters.

He added that the Blue Ribbon Committee has already sent invitations through the proper channel at least twice, noting that lawmakers are still free to attend hearings voluntarily.

The clarification came after Senator Rodante Marcoleta raised concerns about the conduct of the inquiry and refused to sign the panel’s partial committee report.

“Nakapagdududa ‘yung pamamaraan. Hindi ko malaman … partial final report ba ito o partial provisional report? … wala namang nakapirma kung saan galing (The process is questionable. I could not determine whether it was a partial final or provisional report … there was no signature indicating its source),” Marcoleta said in a radio interview.

He said the report was sent to him only through a link for printing and carried a watermark without clear authorization, raising questions on its origin and validity.

Marcoleta stressed that additional hearings and more resource persons are needed before he could support the committee report, adding that the investigation must be completed thoroughly.

“Kailangan na ma-close natin lahat … no stonesl unturned. ‘Pag natukoy na natin lahat, pipirma na ako (We need to ensure everything is covered … no stone unturned. Once everything is established, I will sign),” Marcoleta said.

He also noted that recent statements from former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez suggest he may be willing to speak on the issue and should be invited to the Senate inquiry.