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[av_heading heading=’LP: Dissenting reps’ ouster from key posts no surprise’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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Friday, March 17, 2017
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MANILA – That House of Representatives members who voted “No” to the bill reviving the death penalty were removed from key leadership positions came as no surprise to the Liberal Party (LP).
Vice President Leni Robredo, an LP member, was barred from attending Cabinet meetings starting December last year.
Sen. Leila de Lima was also arrested and detained in February for her alleged involvement in the New Bilibid Prison drug trade.
LP senators were likewise removed from committee chairmanships after de Lima’s arrest.
“Kicking out the ‘No’ voters from House leadership positions betrays the administration’s intolerance to dissent, a disturbing indicator of a dangerous slide toward authoritarianism,” the LP said in a statement on Thursday.
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s move is “divisive” and “detrimental” to the independent and deliberative capacity of Congress, the party said.
“In a democracy, dissent must be met with thoughtful reasoning, not political retribution,” said Sen. Francis Pangilinan, LP president.
Pangilinan stressed that their removal from committee chairmanships will not stop them from pushing for important legislations, engaging in debates, and voting based on values and principles.
“Nasa demokrasya tayo at hindi diktadura,” he said. “Hindi dahil tumututol sa ilang mga isyu na tinutulak ng administrasyon ay ibig sabihin ay kaaway na o dapat nang pinaparusahan o tinatanggalan ng komite ang mga halal na opisyal.”
Pangilinan added: “Sa halip na pinagkakaisa ang bansa, lalo lang nagkakawatak-watak dahil pwersahan ang kilos. Pinahihina nito at hindi pinapalakas ang ating demokrasya.”/PN
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