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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Malayo pa po ang eleksyon': PDP-Laban solon sides with Romualdez amid Duterte's criticisms

'Malayo pa po ang eleksyon': PDP-Laban solon sides with Romualdez amid Duterte's criticisms

Published Oct 12, 2023 03:41 am

At A Glance

  • Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) stalwart Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel has praised House Speaker Martin Romualdez's demeanor when it comes to responding to critics. 

20231012_112932.jpgSurigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel (left), for,mer president Rodrigo Duterte (Facebook, Malacañang photo)

 

 

 

 




A party-mate of former president Rodrigo Duterte in the House of Representatives has praised House Speaker Martin Romualdez's demeanor when it comes to responding to critics. 

Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel, a senior member of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in the House, went as far to say that other political leaders should emulate  Romualdez  when it comes to responding  to critics and detractors.  

“When his detractors spoke ill of him, he did not stoop down to their level," Pimentel said in a statement Thursday, Oct. 12. 

"He showed strength of character and a high degree of professionalism by ignoring their unfounded allegations and focusing instead on making the House a highly respected and  productive institution on his watch,” he said of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president. 

"Mga ganitong lider po ang tularin natin para sama-sama tayong umangat, kaysa maghilahan tayong pababa (These are the leaders that we should emulate so that we can rise together, and not pull each other down)," added Pimentel, who in the previous 18th Congress served as deputy speaker and  PDP-Laban spokesperson. 

It was only last Tuesday when ex-president Duterte linked Romualdez and the whole of Congress to alleged misuse of public funds. 

Duterte, chairman of erstwhile ruling party PDP-Laban, said that Congress needed to be audited for transparency. He further described the legislature as "rotten". 

The House leadership responded Wednesday by releasing a Commission on Audit (COA) Statement of Audit Suspensions, Disallowances, and Charges (SASDC) of the House of Representatives. 

"As per latest COA report released only last Oct. 2, the House of Representatives has no disallowances. No notice of suspension and no notice of charge," House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said in a statement. 

"Ibig pong sabihin, pasado kami sa COA audit (This means that we passed the COA)," added Velasco. 

Pimentel underscored that the country’s welfare should be prioritized over "political interests". 

“Ang bansa muna ang unahin natin, bago ang ating mga pulitikal na interes. Malayo pa po ang eleksyon. Yung kapakanan muna ng mga kababayan natin ang atupagin natin (Let's prioritize out country before our political interests. The elections are still far away. It's our people's welfare that we should take care of first)," the Mindanao solon said. 

“Our President should be given all the support he needs especially at this time as he continues to work hard  in protecting the purchasing power of Filipino families, creating more jobs and  providing aid to the poorest of the poor,” Pimentel further said.

Related Tags

Johnny Pimentel Martin Romualdez Rodrigo Duterte
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