Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Surigao del Sur Representative Prospero Pichay filed Wednesday an ethics complaint against Surigao del Norte Representative Ace Barbers.
This comes two weeks after both lawmakers almost got into a fistfight during a committee hearing on whether the Constitution should be amended by Constitutional Convention or Constituent Assembly.
In his complaint, Pichay said Barbers’s actions during the hearing were a gross violation of Section 138 of the House Rules, which states that members of the House of Representatives “shall act at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House.”
Under House rules, “creditable” is defined as “worthy of belief or sufficiently good to bring esteem or praise.”
Pichay narrated that after a heated exchange with Barbers, the hearing was suspended for a minute. It was then, Pichay said, when Barbers approached him and hurled invectives while pointing his finger at Pichay’s face, as though challenging him to engage in a fight.
Pichay said Barbers’s acts constituted disorderly behavior and can be considered a dishonorable act not only against him, but also against the House of Representatives.
Barbers planning counter-complaint
Barbers said although he is preparing his answers to Pichay’s complaint, he and others are likewise looking to file a case against Pichay.
“Yung issue na iyan [That issue], he wanted to create a national issue out of that senseless and stupid complaint,” he told CNN Philippines in a phone interview. “As soon as I gather all information, I will also file a complaint against him. The others are still contemplating on filing. If they decided already, hindi ko naman sila mapwersa [I cannot force them].”
Barbers said it was actually Pichay who was acting dishonorably during the hearing.
“Tignan niyo lang videos kung sino nangbu-bully, kung sino iyong nagdo-dominate ng hearing,” Barbers said. “Hindi naman siya member.”
[Translation: You just look at the videos to see who’s the one bullying and dominating the hearing. He’s not even a member of the committee.]
Under the House Rules, the House may censure or reprimand an erring member with the concurrence of the majority of all its members.
It also states Congress may suspend or expel an erring member with the concurrence of two-thirds of the body. A penalty of suspension shall not exceed 60 days.
