Video by Cathy Miranda/INQUIRER.net
SPEAKER Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on Monday said he was embarrassed for President Benigno Aquino III due to the protest action against the Chief Executive in the plenary after his last State of the Nation Address (Sona).
Belmonte was reacting to the demonstration staged by lawmakers belonging to the Makabayan bloc when they held up placards at the end of Aquino’s Sona that read “palpak” and “manhid.”
“I think the mere fact that they saw that everybody were virtually so embarrassed by them I think that’s enough,” Belmonte said.
“I was very embarrassed. Because they are all my people,” he added.
Belmonte said he need not apologize to the President for the militant lawmakers’ behavior in his Sona.
“Hindi na. Alam niya naman kung ito eh…galing siya dito. Nakita naman niyang I was so pissed off by it,” Belmonte said.
The militant bloc showed placards calling the Aquino administration “manhid” (insensitive) and “palpak” (failure). “Walang pagbabago sa ilalim ni Aquino,” the group chanted.
But Aquino’s allies in the plenary clapped even louder in support for the President. At the raised platform with Aquino, Senate President Franklin Drilon even shouted “boo” over the microphone to the militant lawmakers.
For his part, Act Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said the Makabayan bloc is ready to face any ethical complaint against them for the demonstration.
“Para sa akin mas disrespectful para sa sambayanang Pilipino na pagsinungalingan sila ng Pangulo tungkol sa tunay na kalagayan (ng bansa)… (Handa tayo) kung fafile-an tayo ng complaint dahil lang nagsasabi tayo ng tunay na kalagayan (ng bansa),” Tinio said.
The members of the Makabayan bloc are Tinio, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares and Carlos Zarate, Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan and Emmi De Jesus, Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap and Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon.