The Commission on Appointments (CA) might face legal liability if it amends the minutes from its February 4 hearing involving Senator Rodante Marcoleta’s statement concerning the Kalayaan Island Group.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said Article 170 of the Revised Penal Code imposes penalties for the falsification of legislative documents, emphasizing that this was the reason he issued a warning against such actions during his privilege speech on March 10.
Marcoleta faced criticism for his statement “give up the Kalayaan Island Group.”
“Falsification of legislative records is punishable under Article 170 of the Revised Penal Code. That is why we must carefully study the legal implications. As of now, Marcoleta’s motion to amend his remarks is still pending,” Lacson said.
“I have relayed this concern to Senate President Vicente Sotto III because he is also the CA chairman. We must be careful lest we be charged with falsification of legislative records and be implicated as co-conspirators if we approve the amendment,” he added.
For now, Lacson said Marcoleta’s motion to amend a portion of the records has been referred to the CA Committee on Rules for analysis.
Article 170 of the Revised Penal Code covers the falsification of legislative documents. Under it, prision correccional in its maximum period and a fine of P6,000 shall be imposed upon any person who, without proper authority, alters any bill, resolution, or ordinance enacted or approved or pending approval by either House of the Legislature or any provincial board or municipal council.
Lacson also noted the situation is compounded by a resolution from the Kalayaan municipal council seeking to expunge Marcoleta’s remarks from congressional records.
“No less than the people of Kalayaan municipality have aired their sentiments to remove his remarks from the records. That is on page 22 of the journal, which I bookmarked. We must consider the resolution of the Kalayaan municipal council,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lacson reiterated his call for Filipinos to love their country above all else, regardless of their appearance or second citizenship.
On Friday, Lacson tweeted that all Filipinos, regardless of appearance, must remember that the Philippines is their only country and that they should love and defend it.
“We are Filipinos. Even if our appearance changes—our skin wrinkles, our teeth weaken and our hair falls out—even if we get botox, wear makeup or wigs—the Philippines is still our country that we must love, uphold and defend,” he said.
“We must love our country even if we have gained a second citizenship or have friends abroad. We must always remember that our country comes first because we were born as Filipinos and we will die as Filipinos. The Philippines’ interests must come first for us, not those of other countries,” the senator said.
