Colleague wants sanctions vs Bertiz

By Ellson Quismorio ACTS-OFW Party-List Rep. Aniceto ‘John; Bertiz III must be sanctioned for his recent tantrum and arrogance at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) a fellow party-list representative stated on Sunday. "Definitely, Cong Bertiz should be subject to sanctions so that it will serve as an example to all public officials, and with more reason, members of Congress, to exercise utmost humility by always subjecting themselves to all laws, rules and regulations," AKO-Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe, leader of the 46-strong Party-List Coalition in the House of Representatives said. "But personally, I feel bad for Cong. Bertiz, whom I know to be friendly and amiable," he added. Last week, a closed circuit television camera (CCTV) footage showing Bertiz harassing a NAIA security officer went viral. Bertiz was apparently called out for refusing to remove his shoes during routine security check. From there, it has been one faux pas after another for the lawmaker, who apologized for the airport incident but blamed his behavior to his ‘monthly period’. An older video of Bertiz, this time confronting an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) during a dialogue in Hong Kong, has also been making rounds online. "Unfortunately he has to pay for his actions, whether unintended or not," Batocabe said of his fellow Minority bloc member. The Bicolano said last week that he would leave Bertiz's fate in the hands of the 12-member Ethics and Privileges panel chaired by AGRI Party-List Rep. Delphine Gan Lee.