Baguilat not giving up House speakership fight

By Melody B. Balanza

IFUGAO Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat maintained his stand that he is the true Minority Floor Leader of the House of Representatives and that he and his like-minded colleagues will be the real fiscalizers in what he fears to be a rubber-stamp Congress. 

Baguilat got the second highest votes during the election of Speaker of the House of Representatives, which would have automatically made him the Minority Floor Leader.

 Instead, new rules were applied leading to the election of Rep. Danilo Suarez, who was the anointed one of the majority group led by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

That both the majority and minority blocs are allies does not bode well for democracy, said Baguilat, as it would silence legitimate voices of dissent that are needed to ensure that Congress will pass laws that are well thought out and balance the needs of various stakeholders.

It was for this reason, he said, that he entered the race for Speakership.

“I entered the race for Speakership to expose the conspiracy between the ruling party and its cohorts to install a co-opted minority, a fake minority, and thereby erode democracy in our beloved country. Not only was that sinister plot exposed, but the Filipino people also saw the lengths to which the majority will go to protect their selfish interests,” he said.

“We saw how they contrived a twisted interpretation of the House rules to arrive at a methodology which disregarded how those rules have been consistently applied. It is appalling how this institution that I love and respect was -- to put it bluntly – raped! when the majority arrogantly disregarded the rule of law. How ironic, when it is the role of this institution to prescribe laws to ensure order in the country,” Baguilat added.

He said the installation of Suarez was “by no means the end of the road for our quest for true democracy. If anything, this sad episode has only strengthened our resolve to be the true minority and fiscalizer in Congress.” 

“This wanton demonstration of selfish power rings out a clear message: all of us must be more vigilant, lest we wake up tomorrow deprived of our liberties and freedoms,” Baguilat said. 

“We thank everyone who have expressed support to this cause, and who have offered us comfort through their words and prayers. The journey is not over yet, and we hope that all of you will stay with us and help us see this journey through, and even correct us when we ourselves are going astray. We encourage you to draw more people to the side of the right, to stand bravely among those who will defend democracy,” Baguilat added