Major political parties in the House of Representatives recently upheld the honor and integrity of the lower chamber, supported the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, and denounced the “confrontational stance” of the Senate against their chamber.
At least 286 lawmakers voted for the adoption of House Resolution (HR) No. 1562, expressing their “unwavering solidarity” with Romualdez and the House “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.”
Speaking for Lakas-CMD, the largest political party in the House of Representatives, North Cotabato Rep. Ma. Alana Samantha Santos said the recent actions of the Senate were “marked by a confrontational stance and allegations against our House and its members”, and “constitute not only a breach of inter-parliamentary courtesy but also an undue interference in our legislative and constituent functions.”
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers of the Nacionalista Party, Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte of the National Unity Party, San Jose del Monte City Rep. Rida Robes of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Palawan Rep. Jose Alvarez of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, Camarines Sur Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. of the Liberal Party, TGP Partylist Rep. Jose Teves Jr. of the Partylist Coalition Foundation Inc., Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco, and Rizal Rep. Jack Duavit of the Nationalist People’s Coalition delivered their speeches to support the resolution strongly.
According to them, they value the integrity of the democratic institutions and recognize the need to defend the honor of the House of Representatives.
“The confrontational stance adopted by the Senate not only breaches inter-parliamentary courtesy but also undermines the integrity of our parliamentary institutions,” Barbers said in a press release from the office of Romualdez.
He echoed the call “for the restoration of respectful dialogue and adherence to inter-parliamentary courtesy.”
“It is imperative that both Houses of Congress work in harmony for the betterment of our people and our nation. The spirit of cooperative governance must prevail over divisive conflicts,” Barbers stressed. ||
