Badoy’s accusations vs House are ‘false, misleading’ – Velasco

Former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict spokesperson Lorraine Badoy. Photo from Albert Calvelo/ Senate PRIB.

MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives Secretary General Reginal Velasco has refuted former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) spokesperson Lorraine Badoy’s claims against the lower chamber’s leadership, calling her accusations “utterly false, misleading, and intended to distort the truth.”

Velasco was referring to Badoy’s Facebook post detailing the conditions he reportedly asked in exchange for her freedom from House detention.

READ: House allows release of SMNI hosts Badoy, Celiz on humanitarian grounds

Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz, hosts of the Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), were detained after the committee on legislative franchises’ hearing on December 5, 2023 for making wrong claims about Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’ travel expenses, which was aired on SMNI.

“I categorically refute the claims made by Ms. Lorraine Marie Badoy regarding her detention and her allegations against the leadership of the House of Representatives. These accusations are utterly false, misleading, and intended to distort the truth,” Velasco said in a statement on Wednesday.

“For the record, I visited Ms. Badoy and Mr. Celis only once during their detention, solely to verify the conditions of their facilities and to offer any necessary medical assistance. This visit was conducted in good faith and was in line with the House of Representatives commitment to uphold the welfare of all individuals under custody,” he added.

Among the conditions Badoy mentioned were to apologize to Romualdez “for offending him” and admit that she lied.

“He (Velasco) came to me each and every day of the seven days I was detained to press his special offer on me. Congressman [Gus] Tambunting did the same thing. And both of them, carried the veiled threat of me [and Eric] spending the holidays in detention, away from my family,” Badoy wrote.

“I said no. All those times they asked, I said no. I told them I would never apologize — not even if the sun turns to dust. More so to Tamby. And that I would never admit to lying because that would be a lie and I am not a liar,” she added.

Velasco refuted Badoy, saying “no time was any condition for release discussed, nor were any attempts made to pressure or influence” her in any way.

“The House of Representatives operates strictly within the bounds of the law, ensuring fairness, accountability, and respect for human rights. Any suggestion otherwise is a baseless and irresponsible attack on the integrity of this institution and its officials,” he said.

“I trust this statement makes our position clear. We will not allow misinformation to undermine the credibility of the House of Representatives,” he added.