Manila, Philippines – “No to Meow Meow suspension”
Ito ang naging tugon at boto ni Pwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat (PPP) Partylist Rep. Harold Duterte kaugnay sa 60-araw na suspensyon ni Dasmarinas City, Cavite Rep. Kiko “Meow-meow” Barzaga.
Kinuwestyon ng mambabatas kung bakit hindi nailagay sa “order of business” ang gagawing botohan ng plenaryo sa committee report ng House Committee on Ethics.
“At yesterday’s session, the Ethics Committee report was surreptitiously included in yesterday’s agenda. Both the subject matter and the means in which it was passed is quite concerning. This matter was not included in the order of business, nor was the draft committee report circulated before it was voted upon,” giit ni Duterte.
Gaya ng pangangatuwiran ng naunang limang mambabatas na humindi o bomoto ng “No” sa desisyong pagsuspendi kay Barzaga, tahasang sinabi ni Duterte na ang napakabilis na desisyon ng komite sa suspensyon ni Barzaga ay nakakabahala dahil mas marami aniya ang mga suliraning kinakaharap ng Kamara lalo na ang pagkakadawit ng ilang mambabatas sa isyu ng maanomalyang flood control projects.
“In any case, the suspension itself is problematic. At a time when we are plagued with flood control and other budget issues, the House chose to single out a single member for disorderly conduct.”
Payo pa ni Duterte sa kapwa mambabatas na dapat ay pagtuunan ng pansin ang mga isyung isinisigaw ng mamamayan at hindi ang pagsuspendi sa kapwa kongresista na lantarang nagpamalas ng kaniyang pagkadismaya sa nabunyag na malawakang korapsyon sa flood control projects.
“Never mind that his conduct aims to shed light precisely at these more pressing issues.
We may not see eye to eye on a lot of issues – but I just wish that my colleagues can focus on addressing pressing issues rather than targeting someone who has chosen to speak up.
To the congressmen who voted yes, all I can say is – Meowmeow,” ani Duterte.
Naunang sinuoportahan at bomoto ng “No” sina Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, SAGIP Partylist Rep. Paolo Marcoleta, Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Robert Nazal, Ang Kamanggagawa Partylist Rep. Eli San Fernando at Quezon City Rep. Jesus “Bong” Suntay.
Agad namang sinagot ni Barzaga ang desisyon ng Ethics Committee sa plenaryo bago ang aktwal na botohan sa pagsasabing “ I wholeheartedly accept the decision of the committee. But I maintain my stand that President Marcos must be held accountable for his crimes,” na pagkatapos niyang masabi ito ay pinatayan na siya ng mikopono. (Meliza Maluntag)
