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Resolution defending Romualdez gains widespread support in House
Resolution defending Romualdez gains widespread support in House
At A Glance
- As promised by the House leadership, the lower chamber adopted on Monday afternoon, Feb. 5 a resolution defending Speaker Martin Romualdez from what congressmen called "baseless accusations" by senators in connection with the recent People's Initiative (PI) movement.
House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
As promised by the House leadership, the lower chamber adopted on Monday afternoon, Feb. 5 a resolution defending Speaker Martin Romualdez from what congressmen called "baseless accusations" by senators in connection with the recent People’s Initiative (PI) movement.
Overwhelmingly adopted via voice vote (ayesha vs. nayes) during plenary session was House Resolution (HR) No.1562, which also called for adherence to inter-parliamentary courtesy between the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The measure is titled, "Resolution expressing unwavering solidarity and support to the leadership of the Honorable Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, and upholding the integrity and honor of the House of Representatives in the face of intense assault from the Senate in violation of the principle of inter-parliamentary courtesy and undue interference in the performance of its legislative and constituent functions.”
As of this posting, at least 288 out of the 310 House members have signed the measure to show their support for Speaker Romualdez.
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Just prior to the vote, Senior Deputy Speaker Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr. led several solons in delivering sponsorship speeches for the resolution.
“In the midst of Senate’s accusations and confrontational stance, we affirm our unwavering solidarity and support to the leadership of the honorable Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and uphold the integrity and honor of the House of Representatives,” Gonzales said in his speech.
Before Monday, the House and Senate had been swapping rather sharp statements in connection with the PI and the proposal to amend the 1987 Constitution in general.
It was during a press briefing last Jan. 31 when Majority Leader Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Mannix Dalipe bared the leadership's plan to file and adopt such resolution.
"We just had an all-member caucus because some members would like us to gather due to recent developments, including statements from the Senate. Many House members wish to express and gauge the sentiments of their colleagues," Dalipe said last week.
The senior deputy speaker cited the need for his fellow House members to "rise in defense of the leadership and dignity of our institution against these ridiculous allegations, unsubstantiated as they are, which foster a climate of mistrust that is detrimental to our nation’s progress".
"it is imperative that we denounce these underhanded tactics that erode public trust in our parliamentary processes,” Gonzales stressed.
Some senators have accused Romualdez of having a direct hand in the PI movement, which entails the collection signatures for a petition toward Charter change (Cha-cha). This is a big no-no.
“We have no involvement in the signature drive to amend the Constitution and it was, in fact, initiated by a private organization. We, however, respect the [PI] as it clearly manifests the essence of our country’s democratic process.
"My dear colleagues, in the face of these unfounded indictments, the Speaker has bravely defended the integrity and honor of the House of Representatives. Yet, he continues to call upon our honorable members to be discerning while observing mutual difference to a co-equal legislative body,” said Gonzales.