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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Do not challenge us': Barbers puts defiant Celiz in his place

'Do not challenge us': Barbers puts defiant Celiz in his place

Published Dec 5, 2023 11:11 am

At A Glance

  • Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers had to put SMNI program anchor Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz in his place Tuesday, Dec. 5 after the latter attended a House Committee hearing with a defiant and abrasive attitude.

20231205_190607.jpgSurigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (left), Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz (MANILA BULLETIN/ Facebook)

Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers had to put SMNI program anchor Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz in his place Tuesday, Dec. 5 after the latter attended a House Committee hearing with a defiant and abrasive attitude.

This was a complete turnaround from Celiz's demeanor during a Nov. 30 hearing of the same panel, the Committee on Legislative Franchises.

During that particular hearing, Celiz was gracious and humble enough to admit that his source for the P1.8-billion travel expenses allegation against Speaker Martin Romualdez was wrong after he was confronted with figures from the House's finance department.

Apparently, the Office of the Speaker's travel expenses from January to October 2023 only amount to P4.3 million--a far cry from P1.8 billion.

"We are very much willing to admit that indeed the source was wrong. In this committee hearing, we are very appreciative of the guidance provided by us by the data," Celiz said.

But the Celiz who appeared before the legislative franchises panel Tuesday was a defiant one--one that openly talked down to the House members.

At the start of the hearing, he moved to strike off from the record all of his previous statements in the Nov. 30 hearing--something that was deemed "out of order" by the panel since he was a mere resource person and not a congressman.

Celiz repeatedly declared during interpellation that he believes "the House isn't above the law" and that the congressmen "shouldn't interpret laws". The SMNI anchor even went as far as to dare the solons to cite him in contempt.

Barbers--sensing that Celiz was trying to use the victim card--told the latter: "No one is curtailing your right. In fact kaya ka nga nandito, binibigyan ka ng panahon at oras para magsalita (That's why you're here, you are being given the time to talk)."

"But do not play to the crowd, saying that your rights are violated in this committee; it's not. Never, ever insult the committee, much more any of the members of this committee. Kasi medyo yun ang affront sa amin (That's somewhat an affront to us)," Barbers said.

CHECK THIS OUT:

https://mb.com.ph/2023/12/5/cited-in-contempt-smni-anchor-celiz-could-spend-holidays-in-house-detention

The veteran legislator added: "And do not challenge us to do what we feel is right to do to yo. Because you might not like it."

Surigao del Sur 2nd district Johnny Pimentel woudl later take Celiz up on his challenge and cite him in contempt.

Quezon 2nd district Rep. Danilo "Jay-jay" Suarez said that he heard Celiz call the panel a "kangaroo court" while the latter was being hauled out of the room and into his detention cell within the House of Representatives.

Celiz is one of the two hosts of the program "Laban Kasama Ang Bayan", the other host being Lorraine Badoy.

Related Tags

Robert Ace Barbers SMNI Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz
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