Palace: Marcoleta should answer alleged conflict of interest issue

• Palace says Sen. Marcoleta must answer questions on wife’s alleged link to Discayas
• Edna Marcoleta linked to Milestone Guaranty bond for flood control project
• Son Paolo Henry insists she is only an “independent director” at Stronghold Insurance
• Senators wary of Marcoleta’s push to make the Discayas state witnesses

Malacañang on Monday said that Sen. Rodante Marcoleta should directly address questions regarding his wife’s alleged connections to Pacifico and Sarah Discaya, who are embroiled in a flood control project controversy.

Reports claimed that Mrs. Edna Marcoleta is listed as an officer of Milestone Guaranty and Assurance, the firm that allegedly issued a P19.29-million bond for the Discayas’ P192.9-million flood control project.

“Ang mas magandang makakasagot niyan ay si Sen. Marcoleta,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told Palace reporters.

“Hindi natin batid ang lalim ng sinasabing koneksyon at kung gaano kalalim din ang relasyon niya sa mga Discaya so hayaan na lang natin na si Sen. Marcoleta ang sumagot,” she added.

Responding to the issue, SAGIP Rep. Paolo Henry Marcoleta, the senator’s son, clarified in a Facebook post that his mother “is not a co-owner, not a regular/inside director but an INDEPENDENT director of Stronghold Insurance.”

“An independent director is not an employee of the company, has no such material ties, no substantial shares, no hand in sales and marketing activities, no significant professional relationships with the company or its stakeholders,” he explained.

Sen. Marcoleta has faced criticism for pushing to have the Discayas as state witnesses, despite their admission of collusion with lawmakers and officials in a kickback scheme.

Several senators opposed the idea, pointing out the couple’s conflicting testimonies and unwillingness to fully disclose details in past hearings.

Former Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair Panfilo Lacson earlier questioned Marcoleta’s consistent defense of the Discayas, an allegation Marcoleta denied.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories for all of the ordinary people in the country as today.

In other news, VP Sara Duterte revealed in a statement that her father was found unconscious inside his ICC detention facility and later subjected to medical tests. The Vice President criticized the ICC, saying it failed to address even an “easily treatable” ingrown toenail and ignored calls for a 24-hour caregiver. She denounced the detention as unjust and inhuman, stressing it amounts to punishment without conviction. VP Sara urged the ICC to act immediately, calling for proper care and humanitarian consideration for the former president.

Still in other news, a taxi was severely damaged after a large tree fell on it inside Araneta City, Cubao, Quezon City. The incident was caused by the strong winds from Severe Tropical Storm Opong (#OpongPH). The taxi driver was reported safe and escaped without injury, despite the vehicle being crushed. Araneta City management confirmed the cause and committed to providing assistance for the driver and the vehicle's repair.

Source: KAMI.com.gh