While several congressional leaders crossed partylines to condemn the alleged red-tagging efforts against organizers and supporters of community pantries, a senior administration lawmaker bluntly threatened to link a young solon to the communist rebellion during a briefing on the controversy conducted recently by the House Committee on Human Rights Senior Majority Leader and Cavite Rep. Crispin Remulla’s behavior during the hearing drew sharp criticisms from the Makabayan bloc that admitted on Thursday, May 20 to raise to Speaker Lord Allan Velasco the administration solon's alleged demonstration of disrespect to a fellow legislator.
"All of us are members of the House of Representatives so certainly we will bring this matter to our head in the minority, as well as in the House leadership,” House Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said in response to a reporter’s query during a Makabayan press conference on Thursday.
Zarate said that while the Makabayan bloc and Remulla have had “several instances” of clashes in opinions on several issues, “we respect his position”.
“We hope he should also respect our position as co-equal member. While he may be a senior majority leader, we are co-equal,” stated Zarate.
During Wednesday’s virtual briefing presided over by Quezon City 4th District Rep. Jesus “Bong” Suntay, Remulla linked community pantry organizers and their supporters to the communist movement, insisting that their criticisms against the government abetted rebellion.
The briefing discussed the complaint of community pantry organizer Patricia Non against alleged harassment and 'red-tagging' she faced as she and her friends distributed free food and other basic needs to individuals distressed by the effects of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID 19) epidemic.
“If you really want to go to the other side of the road, kung gusto mo ibagsak ang gobyerno, you have to suffer the conserquences. Rebelliion is a crime,” Remulla said.
In reaction, Commission on Human Rights representative Erwin Caliba reminded the House official that criticism against government should not be interpreted as a move to bring down government.
Rep. Sarah Jane Elago, representative of the youth partylist group Kabataan, explained that the demand for accountability from government “is part of protected speech”.
“Walang ilegal dito. Hindi pwedeng pakialaman ng PNP... ng AFP at ating mga law enforcement agencies ito (There is nothing illegal here. The PNP, AFP and other law enforcement agencies are barred from interfering),” said Elago.
Clearly, stunned by Remulla’s statement, Elago said: “Bakit natin idinidikit ang community pantry, hindi po ito pumapatay ng tao. (Why are we linking the community pantry, it does not kill people) In fact, it is saving lives.” While Elago was explaining her position, Remulla tried twice to cut her by declaring that “aiding and abetting rebellion is a crime.”
“Hindi porke’t sumusuporta sa community pantry ay sumusuporta rin sa rebelyon. Kasi parang ganoon po iyong ipinararating ninyo (Not because one is supporting the community party, he is also supporting rebellion. It seems that is what you are trying to say),” stated Elago.
Apparently irked by Elago’s statement, Remulla threatened to link the partylist lawmaker to a move to overthrow government.
“Gusto mo ikonek natin, kung gusto mo ikokonek ko sa iyo? (Do you want me to link it; if you want I can connect this to you)” Remulla said.
To this, Elago responded: “Kung meron kayong ganyang akusasyon dalhin natin sa korte (If you are accusing me, let’s go to court).” Zarate said there have been a number of times that Makabayan bloc members were threatened with court cases, with government claiming possessing enough evidence to back up its accusations.
“You’ve been boasting you have truckload of cases; bring them to the proper forum where we can cross examine and look at your evidence,” Zarate said.
Gabriela Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas said the human rights panel should not have let what happened to slide. She said House members should have been treated with respect, especially during official proceedings.