(NI BERNARD TAGUINOD)
HINDI umano welcome kay Taguig-Pateros Rep. Allan Peter Cayetano na pamumunuan ng isang opposition congressman ang House minority bloc sa Mababang Kapulungan ng Kongreso.
Ito ang isiniwalat ni Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman kaya namumurong magkaroon ng ‘company union’ sa Kamara kung saan kaalyado rin ng administrasyon ang magiging minority leader.
“On the contrary, one of his leading lieutenants has unabashedly and categorically said that a particular representative who belongs to the opposition is not welcome as minority leader,” ani Lagman.
Hindi tinukoy ni Lagman kung sino sa mga bata ni Cayetano ang hindi welcome maging minority leader ang sinumang kongresista na kilalang nasa panig ng oposisyon.
“This selective and discriminatory stance augurs the anointment by the supermajority of the next minority leader, a practice reminiscent of the 17thCongress where the leader of the so-called opposition was twice handpicked by the House leadership,” ani Lagman.
Noong 17th Congress ay nabigo ang Magnificient 7 na maging minority bloc sa Kamara matapos iluklok bilang minority leader si dating Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez sa ilalim ng liderato nina dating House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez at Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
“The rejection of a possible minority leader and the accommodation of a favored one is installing a “company union” in disguise,” dagdag pa ni Lagman.
Kinastigo rin ng Albay solon si Cayetano dahil maingay ito sa pagsasabi na magpapatupad ng reporma sa Kamara subalit hindi nito sinasabi na kanyang irerespeto ang pagkakaroon ng totoong minority leader.
“One of the important reforms in the House is the recognition of a genuine and constructive leader of the opposition.A real and responsible opposition will not only assure a democratic legislative process but will also restore the credibility of the House of Representatives,” ani Lagman.
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