A STAUNCH ally of Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Sunday advised Senator Francis Pangilinan to abide by Congress’ inter-parliamentary courtesy, adding that the former president has been treating Liberal Party members fair and square.
Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats secretary-general, defended Arroyo’s decision to name Pangasinan Rep. Rosemarie Arenas as caretaker of the lone district of Batanes a year after the death of Rep. Henedina Abad. Arenas replaced Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr., a former Speaker and stalwart of LP like Pangilinan.
“I cannot understand why Kiko Pangilinan, who is a senator, is meddling in the affairs of the House of Representatives. I would like to remind Senator Kiko of the parliamentary courtesy, which we have religiously observed and given utmost importance,” he said.
Pangilinan, LP President, lashed out at Arroyo for her “petty vindictiveness” following the replacement of Belmonte last Wednesday night shortly before Congress went on its month-long Halloween recess.
“If I were Pangilinan I would be very careful about accusing others of vindictiveness,” said Pangilinan. “Speaker GMA is leading the House of Representatives and she has been very fairly treating members of the LP. So what vindictiveness is Senator Pangilinan talking about?”
“As far as I can remember, the appointment of the caretaker is lodged upon the Speaker. I remember when [former Dinagat Islands Rep.] Ruben Ecleo was dropped from the rolls by the House of Representatives, his political nemesis Akbayan party-list Kaka Bag-ao [who is a member of the Liberal Party] was appointed caretaker of his district in Dinagat Islands. When [the late Negros Occidental] Cong. Iggy Arroyo died in 2012, the caretaker of his district was then Speaker Sonny Belmonte. There is therefore no tradition to speak of. There is likewise no rule on the appointment,” Pichay said.
Belmonte said “it is unfair to accuse Speaker GMA of vindictiveness and partisanship.”
“She [Arroyo] has a free hand in the choice of caretaker, duly considering the needs of the constituents of the lone legislative district of Batanes and my inability to continue performing my duty as such,” he said.
During his time as Speaker, Belmonte said “the only hint of tradition or custom on the appointment of caretaker was that the Deputy Speaker covering the area would be designated as caretaker if the Speaker himself or herself is unable to take on the role.”
“Since Speaker Macapagal Arroyo has decided not to take on the Speaker’s role of caretaker, I believe it is appropriate for Deputy Speaker Rosemarie Arenas, who represents Northern Luzon to take on the role,” said Belmonte.