The House Committee on Ethics and Privileges will take up next week a privilege speech involving suspended Cavite Rep. Francisco ‘Kiko’ Barzaga, after the plenary adopted a motion directing the panel to tackle the matter and requiring the respondent to attend.
House Committee on Ethics and Privileges chairman and 4PS party-list Rep. JC Abalos said the panel has been “monitoring the plenary” and noted that over the past days, House members rose on personal and collective privilege, culminating in a motion adopted by the chamber.
“Kahapon (Tuesday) po nagkaroon po ng motion na tinutok ng plenaryo kung saan rine-require ang Committee on Ethics na italakay ang privilege speech ni Rep. Roland Valeriano interpolated by Congressman Dino Tanjuatco at talakayin namin sa aming next regular hearing,” Abalos told reporters.
(Yesterday (Tuesday) there was a motion focused on the plenary where the Committee on Ethics is required to discuss the privilege speech of Rep. Roland Valeriano interpolated by Congressman Dino Tanjuatco and we will discuss this on our next regular hearing.)
He said the committee already has a scheduled hearing next week, and the plenary action adds specific directives for that meeting. The panel also adopted a motion requiring the attendance of Barzaga as respondent.
Abalos said the committee will issue notices to ensure members are properly informed and that the parties are given an opportunity to submit materials and respond.
“Next week, we will make sure po na lahat ng ating (that all our) members ay mano-notify (shall be notified) about the said hearing. Everyone will be furnished a copy of the privilege speech,” he said.
The party-list lawmaker added that the committee will also write the complainants to submit any additional documents they intend to attach, to allow the respondent to answer. He said the respondent will likewise be notified and given the chance to present his side and supporting evidence.
Asked what issues would be tackled, Abalos pointed to matters raised on the floor, including allegations of bribery and remarks involving a deceased House member.
Still, the House ethics panel chief said he would not get ahead of complainants who have been given time to submit evidence, noting the issues were “just laid out on the floor.”
Abalos emphasized that the committee would proceed with proper notices to ensure the respondent can answer what has been raised against him. He said the committee intends to follow its procedures strictly and that the respondent will be heard.
“So, next week when we tackle this matter, we will make sure that all of our rules and processes will be followed and the respondent will be given a chance to be heard,” Abalos said.
He added that whatever the committee arrives at will be a collective determination and will be elevated to the plenary as a recommendation.
