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Incident mars House nat’l budget hearing

October 15, 2024 Jester P. Manalastas 73 views

FOR showing unparliamentary behavior, Agri Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee is facing ethics complaint.

Marikina City Representative Stella Luz Quimbo and Barangay Health Workers Party-list Representative Nica Co have formally filed the complaint before the House of Representatives.

The two lady lawmakers expressed dismay over Lee’s alleged threats during the deliberations on the proposed P6.325-trillion budget for 2025.

According to the statement of Quimbo, the incident happened last September 25 during the plenary deliberations of the 2025 national budget.

Based on Quimbo’s narration, Lee approached her, pointed his finger at her and said: “Magwawala ako kapag hindi n’yo ako pinagsalita.”

At that point, Lee had already finished his turn to field questions, and the last House member asking questions was House Deputy Minority Leader Paul Daza, Quimbo said.

“Magkakampi po kami sa aming sense of duty, pero kailanman po it was never an excuse for me to be violent,” she said.

Quimbo added that the way Lee approached her made her and Co so terrified that they shed tears.

“It was tears of fear. There are so many microphones in the plenary. Any member is free to raise a point of order at any point in time. Hindi po niya ‘yun dapat ginagawa sa ganoong paraan,” she said.

Both Quimbo and Co apologized to Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for their action but they believed they cannot let this issue just pass without any actions from their end.

Quimbo added that they waited for Lee to apologize but to no avail.

“From my perspective, his actions, particularly, his moving forward with his hand and eye movement — were an attempt to assault. My instinct was to duck behind the podium for my own safety. I felt physically threatened. Nakita ko rin ang kalituhan ni Rep. Co sa sitwasyon,” she said.

“To clarify, as vice chair of the Committee on Appropriations, it is not within our discretion to choose who gets to ask questions. Our responsibility as budget sponsors is to address the questions of the interpellators chosen by the minority,” she explained.

The incident caused emotional distress, Quimbo said, to which after the termination of the DOH budget hearing, they cried.

Co also collapsed due to stress.

“This should not happen to any woman, especially in the workplace. His actions were a clear form of intimidation, and this behavior is unacceptable,” they added.

In response, Lee said he is ready to face the complaint at the House Committee on Ethics.