Tining to take oath before Nograles on Monday, says LP president

HOUSE Speaker Prospero Nograles has promised the Liberal Party (LP) to allow former Bogo Mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III to take oath as Cebu’s fourth district

congressman on Monday, LP national president Florencio “Butch” Abad said yesterday.

“The speaker already committed to allow Tining to take oath on Monday,” he said.

The remaining three day-session in Congress next week is crucial for Martinez, he said. But he “doesn’t want to pre-empt anything and he is hoping for the best,” Abad said.

“I am hoping that the Speaker will finally comply by Monday,” he told Sun.Star Cebu.

Martinez, in a separate interview, confirmed he will take his oath at the plenary on Monday.

The assurance of Nograles, he said, was given last Wednesday in the presence of other congressmen from his party.

Martinez said Nograles, being a leader and a gentleman, should push through with the plan.

“I respect his words,” he said.

Martinez said he didn’t ask Nograles why he was not allowed to take his oath.

“I didn’t ask for his reasons,” he said.

Contempt

Abad, however, denied reports that they are thinking of filing contempt charges against Nograles for not allowing their party member to take oath after the Supreme Court (SC) ruled in Martinez’s favor last Jan. 12.

He said the LP doesn’t want to let Nograles feel he had been “belligerent” while performing his duties as Speaker and that the party doesn’t want to interfere in Nograles’ functions.

The filing of contempt charges, Abad said, is nothing but speculations.

“Nothing yet. It’s all speculations. We don’t want that to happen,” he said, adding that the LP supports Martinez and respects Nograles.

Negotiating

He said the LP has been negotiating with Nograles. He also mentioned Reps. Liwayway Chato and Jun Abaya.

Abaya is the secretary general of LP.

Abad said they don’t want to file contempt charges against Nograles, saying they are happy with the negotiations.

Martinez said that during the LP meeting, the possibility of filing contempt charges against Nograles was not discussed. He also refused to comment on the matter, saying he was not privy to the issue.

“I would not know. I prefer not to comment. The fact remains that I’m taking my oath on Monday,” Martinez said.

With his oath taking, Martinez hoped to put the issue to rest.

Sun.Star Cebu tried to contact Nograles and Rep. Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu 4th district) for their reactions but failed.

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