House Majority Leader and Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro on Sunday warned any political group against using the mass oathtaking at Malacañang of Senator-elect Bong Go’s supporter-endorsers to be led by mayors, councilors, lawmakers and several others for selfish political interest in the speakership race.
Castro was reacting to the revelation of Taguig City-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano that the camp of Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco had supposedly launched a text brigade inviting neophyte lawmakers to join the event in a bid to impress President Rodrigo Duterte that he was the favored speakership bet.
“To grab, snatch or hijack the limelight of those who are scheduled to take their oath, including lawmakers and the honor of the President administering the oath for self-serving political purpose is highly immoral if not highly indecent,” he said.
Castro, National Unity Party president, cited the alleged “political pickpocketing” of Go’s event.
Cayetano opposed the supposed campaign style of Velasco and clarified that the event was to give recognition to Go’s supporters, and not because of Velasco’s initiative.
“Good evening po Congressman. This is from the Office of Cong. Lord Allan Velasco. We were requested to help coordinate for the Mass Oath-taking of newly elected officials with PRRD next week, June 25, 2019 (Tuesday), 5:15pm, at Rizal Hall, Malacañan Palace. In this regard, may we please request you to confirm your attendance as one of the oathtakers,” Velasco’s alleged text message stated.
The Marinduque lawmaker has yet to comment on the matter.
“Let us give the neophyte members the opportunity to own the President during the time of oath-taking and to enjoy the honor accorded to them as new members of the House of Representatives,” Castro said.