An emotional Robert Ace Barbers, former overall chairman of the House quad-committee (quad-comm), defended the honor of the late Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop from his online bashers, whom he castigated for being "un-Filipino".

Barbers, a former three-term Surigao del Norte congressman, was among the handful of current and past House members who gave eulogies to Acop, a National Unity Party (NUP) stalwart, during a memorial service held in tribute for the latter in plenary.

"As to his bashers: I say, good luck to you. You will get no where near the larger than life brand of public service and accomplishments of Cong Romy Acop. With your gutter language, you have doomed yourselves," Barbers said.

"Allow me to take this opportunity to defend my friend against those who see his death as punishment for his alleged sins. My friends, as we all know, it is the will of our creator that we shall all die regardless whether we are sinners or saints. Only Jesus conquered the death, for he is God," he said.

Barbers--who sounded upset--spoke about the Filipino virtue of showing respect to the departed.

"Nasa ating kultura na hindi dapat natin inaalipusta o niyuyurakan ang alala ng isang yumao kahit ano pa siya sa paningjn natin. Ang ganung katangian ay pagpapakita ng isang magandang pag-uugali ng isang respektableng Pilipino," he said.

(It is part of our culture that we should never insult or trample upon the memory of someone who has passed away, no matter how we may regard them. Such a trait is a reflection of the good conduct of a respectable Filipino.)

"Kabilin-bilinan nga ng ating mga matatanda, na kung wala ka rin lang magandang sasabihin, mas mabuti pang huwag ka na lang magsalita. Lalo na siguro kung ang mga sinasabi ninyo ay puro haka-haka lamang at walang matibay na basehan. Napapahiya po ang ating mga magulang na para bang hindi tayo napalaki ng maayos at tama," noted Barbers.

(As our elders have always reminded us: if you have nothing good to say, it is better not to speak at all. All the more so if what you are saying is mere speculation and without solid basis. It brings shame upon our parents, as if we were not raised properly.)

"Sa lahat po ng sumisira sa alaala ni Cong Romy, isa lang po ang masasabi ko: Hindi po tama ang inyong ginagawa: Hindi po maka-Pilipino ang inyong ginagawa," he added.

The Mindanaoan further said of Acop's posthumous critics: "As you continue crossing the bounds of decency, you have revealed your true selves."

"In judging Cong Acop, you have allowed yourselves to be judged. You speak even as if you are holy," he said.

"Death is the great leveler; it is the last step toward our ultimate destination, either eternal happiness in heaven in the company of our Lord, or be declared in contempt to suffer eternal damnation in hell in the company of him who was damned," he noted.

Barbers cotinued, his voice cracking from the weight of his emotions: "Cong Romy, my friend...my mentor. Rest now and enjoy your eternal happiness in the company of our Lord in heaven."

He told Acop's kin, who were present in plenary, to find solace in that "Cong Romy is now in the warm embrace of our creator".

Acop, the overall vice chairman of the quad-comm during the previous 19th Congress, passed away last Dec. 20 after suffering a heart attack. He was 78.

"Hindi po namin makakalimutan si Cong Romy. Paalam Cong Romy, isa kang mabuting anak, kapatid, ama, lolo, at isang tunay na kaibigan (We will never forget Cong Romy. Farewell Cong Romy, you are a good son, brother, father, grandfather, and a true friend). Cong Romy, until we meet again," Barbers concluded.