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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Lame excuses': Barzaga irked as 'Sibuyas Queen' no-shows House panel inquiry

'Lame excuses': Barzaga irked as 'Sibuyas Queen' no-shows House panel inquiry

Published Feb 27, 2023 01:06 pm

"Sibuyas Queen (Onion Queen)" Lilia Cruz was a no-show at the resumption of the House of Representatives' inquiry on agricultural hoarding, and Cavite 4th district Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. didn't like her alibi.

Lilia Cruz (left) and Cavite 4th district Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. (HREP website, MANILA BULLETIN)

Standing in for Cruz during House Committee on Agriculture and Food's hearing on the hoarding issue Monday, Feb. 27, was her legal counsel, lawyer Kenneth Bryan Tegio.

Committee Chairman Quezon 1st district Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga earlier confirmed that the panel sent an invite to Cruz, who was present during the two previous hearings. She is also known as Leah Cruz.

When the committee members asked about Cruz's whereabouts, Tegio said his client couldn't attend Monday's proceedings as she had to fulfill a prior commitment "of equal importance".

"Can you remind Ms. Leah Cruz that she will have to attend?" Enverga told Tegio, to which the latter said yes.

But Barzaga didn't let the lawyer off the hook that easily, even as he described the Sibuyas Queen's excuse as "lame".

"You stated that when your client (Cruz) received the notice , she has already a prior commitment of equal importance," Barzaga said in his interpellation of Tegio.

"As a lawyer, you know for a fact that what we are doing here is in aid of legislation. And do you think that the commitment of your client is much more important than the hearing scheduled today?" the Cavite solon asked.

"I would like to express our sincere apology your honor. However, we consider such other commitment also very, very important," Tegio replied.

"Just for the record," Barzaga said, "What is the specific commitment which you are saying right now is of equal importance to the hearing which we are conducting in aid of legislation pursuant to the Constitution?"

The stuttering Tegio answered, "I was informed by my client your honor that she already committed to visit some of her farmers that would require her to travel to provinces."

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Barzaga, himself a lawyer, then asked Tegio to specify the person and place that Cruz allegedly had to visit.

"Sorry your honor, but I have not gone through that particular ," the latter said. His response didn't satisfy Barzaga.

"You call her this morning and tell her that I am asking her the details of her visit to the farmers and whereabouts because we don't want to have lame excuses here especially if the presentation or excuse is being made by a lawyer," the veteran legislator said.

Tegio subsequently contacted Cruz. He still couldn't give the solons details of Cruz's whereabouts as of this posting.

Related Tags

elpidio Barzaga jr. House of Representatives Onion lilia Cruz sibuyas queen
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