Davao-based solon sides with Kiko Barzaga, slams 'problematic suspension'
At A Glance
- Davao City-based Pwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat (PPP) Party-list Rep. Harold Duterte is the latest solon to assail the 60-day suspension slapped against the controversial Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga.
Pwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat (PPP) Party-list Rep. Harold Duterte (left), Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga (Rep. Duterte's office, MANILA BULLETIN)
Davao City-based Pwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat (PPP) Party-list Rep. Harold Duterte is the latest solon to assail the 60-day suspension slapped against the controversial Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga.
Rep. Duterte, cousin of Vice President Sara Duterte, claimed in a statement Tuesday, Dec. 2 that the Committee on Ethics and Privileges' committee report no.28 was "surreptitiously included" in the agenda during Monday's plenary session.
"This matter was [neither] included in the order of business, nor was the draft committee report circulated before it was voted upon," said Rep. Duterte, and independent member of the House of Representatives.
The committee report carried the recommendation to impose a 60-day suspension without pay to Barzaga, who was found guilty of disorderly behavior and conduct unbecoming of a House member.
The recommendation was affirmed during Monday's session via nominal vote result of 249-5-11 (yes-no-abstain).
"In any case, the suspension itself is problematic. At a time when we are plagued with flood control and other budget issues, the House chose to single out a single member for disorderly conduct," Rep. Duterte said.
"Never mind that his conduct aims to shed light precisely at these more pressing issues," he said of the self-proclaimed "congressmeow".
"We may not see eye to eye on a lot of issues – but I just wish that my colleagues can focus on addressing pressing issues rather than targeting someone who has chosen to speak up," the PPP Party-list solon further said.
Rep. Duterte wasn't among the five House members who voted "no" during nominal voting.