Quezon 2nd district Rep. David "Jay-jay" Suarez (Screenshot from YouTube live)

A ranking congressman is calling on the House Committee on Legislative Franchises to probe allegations floated by an SMNI television network program that Speaker Martin Romualdez has a whopping P1.8-billion travel fund. 

This, as House Deputy Leader Quezon 2nd district Rep. David "Jay-jay" Suarez readily branded the allegation as "fake news" and being part of a "smear campaign". 

"in the spirit of transparency and accountability, I humbly request this august chamber, to direct the Committee on Legislative Franchises, in the exercise of its inherent oversight function to investigate this matter immediately and other similar measures pending with the Committee including this personal and collective privilege," a visibly irate Suarez said during an impromptu privilege speech Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 28. 

Chaired by Paranaque City 2nd district Rep. Gus Tambunting, the committee is the one that grants and renews legislative franchises for various entities--including those in the media--so they may be allowed operate. 

The Tambunting panel will begin its investigation on the matter this coming Thursday, Nov. 30,  following a motion on the floor by Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong. 

The disparaging comments about the House chief were made on the SMNI program titled “Laban Kasama Ang Bayan". 

"Doon po sa video na yun na ipinalabas sa SMNI, at 10:27 p.m. [Monday], doon sinasabi that Speaker Maritn Romualdez spent P1.8 billion in traveling. At dinagdagan pa, baka nga hindi lang P1.8 [billion] mahigitan pa kasama ng kaniyang entourage...ito pong pinalabas ng SMNI, isa po itong fake news," Suarez said. 

(In the video that SMNI aired, at 10:27 p.m., it was claimed that Speaker Maritn Romualdez spent P1.8 billion in traveling. And it may be more than P1.8 [billion] due to his entourage...what SMNI aired was fake news.) 

While on the plenary floor, Suarez read from a piece of paper which he said was Secretary General Reginald Velasco's statement on the alleged P1.8-billion travel fund. 

"Let me be unequivocally clear these claims are not only baseless but are blatant attempt to spread misinformation and defame the speaker’s character," he quoted Velasco as saying. 

"We categorically deny these false allegations and condemn in the strongest sense the propagation of such irresponsible and damaging news. This is a deliberate attack on the integrity of the house and a sad reflection to the length some individuals will go to undermine our democratic instutitions," he added. 

Velasco further said as pee Suarez that the House "emand[s] immediate retraction and apology from those spreading those fake lies". 

"Furthermore, we are exploring other options to hold accountable for this smear campaign," he said. 

SMNI is the same network that has given airtime to former president Rodrigo Duterte, who the past few weeks has been assailing the 300-plus strong House of Representatives and its leader, Romualdez. 

The House leadership has answered all of Duterte's allegations so far, including those that have to do with pork barrel, Commission on Audit (COA) reports, and the alleged concerted attacks against his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.