REGIONAL political party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) condemned the recent removal of Davao City Third District Representative Isidro Ungab from his post in the House of Representatives for allegedly refusing “to submit into the desires of a few”.
HNP, headed by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, issued a statement on Tuesday morning, March 3, a day after Ungab and Oriental Mindoro Representative Salvador Leachon were removed from their posts. Ungab formerly headed the committee on appropriations, while Leachon headed the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET).
“Ungab was removed because he had the audacity to refuse to submit into the desires of a few,” HNP said in an issued statement.
Ungab’s ouster came after Cayetano revealed to the media an ouster plot against him as House Speaker.
HNP also condemned the House of Representative’s move, saying Ungab had “faithfully” served his constituents in Davao City, the Filipino people, and the country “by standing against alleged budget insertions as chair of the appropriations committee”.
The group also lauded Ungab “for being a good soldier of President Rodrigo Duterte and for doing his job with pride and principle”.
“For HNP, the ouster of Ungab was grossly unacceptable as it is disadvantageous to the Duterte administration’s reform agenda for the Filipino people and the country,” HNP said.
Ungab, meanwhile, in a forwarded statement, thanked his party for supporting him following his ouster.
“As I have said, the truth will always prevail. Guided by my conscience, I will not falter as I stand by on how I have delivered and managed our national budget, ensuring that the projects, plans, and programs of the Duterte Administration will succeed. Thank you,” he said.
A day before, Ungab also posted on his personal Facebook account, “I believe that the only guide to a man is his conscience, and the truth will always prevail no matter what... [sic]”, hours after Deputy Majority Leader Jesus Crispin Remulla moved to elect ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Eric Yap as his replacement.
“...I have served my country and people well to the utmost of my ability. I accept my fate and so be it [sic],” he said in another post.
Cayetano accused another lawmaker, Marinduque Representative Allan Lord Velasco, of attempting to grab the House’s top post.
Velasco in various media reports already denied the House Speaker’s accusation.
Both House officials had recently agreed on a term-sharing for 15 months. Cayetano’s term, as agreed, would end until 2020.
Velasco, meanwhile, will serve in the remaining months until the end of first half of 2022.
HNP, in a previous report, rejected the term sharing as it “will slow down the last three years of the administration of President Duterte.”
The regional party endorsed third district representative Ungab as their candidate for the House Speakership.
Duterte-Carpio, meanwhile, in an ABS-CBN report said she had no knowledge of any coup attempt to kick out Cayetano from power.
“Wala akong (I don’t have) personal knowledge of any coup attempt,” she said. (RGL with reports from PNA)