A lawmaker has urged the House of Representatives to summon Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Martin Diño following his claim that around 100 congressmen were involved in vote-buying activities during the recent Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.
An enraged Batangas 2nd District Rep. Raneo Abu delivered his privilege speech before the plenary on Wednesday, questioning Diño’s claim.
“Nais kong hilingin sa kapulungang ito na maipatawag si Usec. Diño ng tama nating komite sa House of Representatives,” Abu said.
Abu was among those congressmen facing complaints before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for alleged election offenses.
The Deputy Speaker dared Diño to bare the names of those involved in the illegal acts, and provide the necessary evidence proving his claims.
“Kung hindi, ang secretary of DILG na kanya pong sabihan si Usec Diño na ilabas ang pangalan ng isang daang myebro ng HOR na kanyang pinaparatangan pero kasabay nito ay magbigay sya ng sapat na ebidensya itong ay may paglabag sa election laws,” Abu said.
He lambasted how Diño’s accusation has tainted the reputation of congressmen.
“Lahat tayo rito ang respeto ng mga namumuno sa atin, pagtingin at paggalang ay hindi matatawaran kaya tayo ay ginawang kinatawan,” he said.
“Hindi nman po tayo papayag na tayo ay magsasawalang-kibo at hindi iimik para lamang mag-pagandang lalaki lang ang isang opisyal,” he added.
“Dangal ng bawat isa sa ay mayuyurakan ngunit hindi tinitignan kung ito ay may pruweba,” he continued.
The speech was then referred to the committee on rules. /muf
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