Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay formally filed an ethics complaint against Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert “Ace” Barbers following a near fistfight between the two during a House committee hearing on charter change.
In his ethics complaint filed before the House ethics committee on Tuesday, Pichay accused Barbers of violating Section 138, Rule XIX of the House Rules on code of conduct, which states that a House member “shall act at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House.”
“Creditable” in the House rules is defined as “worthy of belief or sufficiently good to bring esteem or praise.”
“Barbers’ acts constitute a disorderly behavior and therefore can be considered a dishonorable act not only against me but the entire institution which is the House of Representatives,” Pichay’s complaint read.
Pichay filed the complaint to the House ethics committee seeking to impose the necessary penalty on Barbers.
Sought for his reaction, Barbers said he respected Pichay’s right to file a complaint, and that he would also file an ethics complaint against Pichay.
“Expected naman ‘yan (It’s expected) and that’s his right as a member. I am also filing an ethics complaint and [a] more meaty complaint soon,” Barbers said in a text message.
Barbers said Pichay was also liable for disorderly behavior for dominating the committee hearing and bullying his fellow lawmakers.
“What is disorderly is dominating the proceedings and bullying the poor members by not allowing them to speak, considering that he is not a member nor a principal author of a resolution,” Barbers said.
Earlier, a hearing of the House of Representatives constitutional amendments committee on charter change was cut short following a word war between Barbers and Pichay that almost escalated to a fist fight.
WATCH: Charter change debate ends with solons’ fight
The conflict started when Pichay opposed a motion of Deputy Speaker Cebu Rep. Gwen Garcia to recommend to the plenary the constituent assembly as a mode of Charter change.
Pichay said the Senate should be invited first about Garcia’s motion, because the 1987 Constitution clearly stated that it is Congress, not just the House of Representatives, which could amend the Charter.
“The Constitution says Congress, not the House of Representatives. The resolution should be amended to invite the upper chamber to join us as far as the direct amendment is concerned,” Pichay said.
“The Constitution says Congress upon a vote of three fourths of all its members. Saan nakalagay ang con-ass?” Pichay said.
Barbers shot back incredulously at Pichay’s view, and urged the committee not to entertain “stupid” motions.
“This is a point of order. Let us not be entertaining senseless motions, those are stupid motions. Let’s not pretend to be constitutionalists here,” Barbers said.
The hearing was suspended after solons argued over the issue.
While the hearing was suspended, Barbers walked all the way to the seat of Pichay at the other side of table, and started pointing his fingers at him.
“P***** i** mo,” Barbers was heard as saying, tapping Pichay on the shoulder.
“Anong problema mo? P***** i** mo rin,” Pichay shot back.
Pichay then stood up and almost grabbed Barbers if not for Pangasinan Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, who broke up what could have been a nasty scuffle in the middle of a House committee hearing.
The two congressmen were also pointing fingers and glowering at each other before the security separated the two.
Pichay has said a political rift in Surigao may have fueled the conflict. Meanwhile, Barbers has apologized for his behavior, but not to Pichay whom he said also provoked him and cursed at him. CDG
