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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Is there a plot to manipulate Rep. Elago's HRET case?

Is there a plot to manipulate Rep. Elago's HRET case?

Published Mar 6, 2020 12:00 am
By Ben Rosario  An opposition party-list solon has demanded answers to allegations that a senior official of the House of Representatives made attempts to manipulate the outcome of an electoral protest pending before the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal. On a vote of 261 to 18, the Senate and the House of Representatives decide to extend martial law in Mindanao up to December 31, 2017 in a joint, special session at the Batasang Pambansa yesterday. Inset photo shows Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III (left) and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez presiding over the session that lasted more than seven hours. (Jansen Romero, Alvin Kasiban) House of the Representatives (Manila Bulletin File Photo) Kabataan Party-list Rep. Sarah Jane Elago decried the move to unseat her as member of Lower House, saying she is determined to dig up the truth about the allegation aired by Mindoro Oriental Rep. Salvador Leachon. She disclosed that Leachon had accused Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Ray Villafuerte of trying to influence his decision in the HRET case involving Kabataan Partylist and the YACAP Partylist. Elago dared Leachon to reveal more details about the incident. READ MORE: Leachon dares Villafuerte: Name the House members who have been offered by Velasco with committee chairmanships and extra budgetary allocations In a television interview last Tuesday, Leachon accused Villafuerte of calling to ask him to vote against Elago in the pending HRET case. The incident happened while Leachon was still head of the House contingent to the HRET. Leachon said Villafuerte name-dropped Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano as the one who authorized him to push for the ouster of Elago. On Monday, Leachon was removed from the HRET and was replaced by Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo, who backed Cayetano and Villafuerte in accusing Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco and Leachon of orchestrating a coup d’etat to oust the incumbent speaker. Both Velasco and Leachon vehemently denied the allegations, with the latter claiming that the Cayetano camp made up the scenario in a bid to derail the implementation of the 15-21 months term-sharing agreement for the speakership between Cayetano and Velasco. “This accusation is quite serious. We should not leave this allegation of interfering with HRET unanswered,” said Elago. “We must never allow any attempt to undermine the independence of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal,” she added. “Under the present circumstances where laws and legal systems are being weaponized for crackdown against vocal dissenters and members of the opposition, Kabataan Partylist, as a member of the Minority Coalition, has every reason to be gravely alarmed and concerned,” Elago said. The HRET case stemmed from the electoral protest filed by former Rep. Carol Jane Lopez of Yacap Partylist. The case is reportedly set for voting among members of the tribunal which is composed of three Supreme Court justices and six congressmen. READ MORE: Villafuerte shots back at Leachon as opposing Speakership factions engage in word war
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