Ifugao solon throws support behind Leni

Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat has thrown his full support for Vice President Leni Robredo, who quit as Chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) after the President ordered her to stop attending Cabinet meetings effective Dec. 5.

Baguilat said that the Vice President’s decision might have come as a surprise but it was not unexpected as, from the start, Robredo was not treated fairly nor shown the respect due her as the duly elected vice president of the Philippines and as a woman. 

“The President's order to ban the Vice President from cabinet meetings was the most demeaning act in a series of affronts to the Vice President. The move is made more ironical by the fact that Robredo has openly called on the Filipino people to support President Duterte, although she has disagreed with some policies of the administration, which of course happens in any democracy," Baguilat said.

"But if she is no longer welcome to attend Cabinet meetings, as clearly communicated by Secretary Evasco, Vice President Leni did well to resign as HUDCC Chair. This should be a signal for political leaders to do some serious soul searching,” said Baguilat, who heads the “Magnificent 7”, which considers itself the legitimate minority in the House of Representatives.

 "This move by the administration could only divide the Filipino people further, after a number of equally perplexing decisions," Baguilat noted.

"As far as I can recall, no Vice President has ever been banned from Cabinet meetings, even if he or she does not see eye to eye with the President," he added.

Baguilat also urged Filipinos to be vigilant following Robredo’s disclosure that she “had been warned of a plot to steal the vice presidency”.

Baguilat said this was a serious cause for alarm and that the Liberal Party, which Robredo chairs, “should unite and help block this plot.” 

“Perhaps it is time for the Liberal Party to rethink its position in the super coalition. If our highest party official is threatened, the party should make all efforts to protect her vice presidency and our democracy,” Baguilat said. 

For his part, Baguilat said he is unequivocal in supporting the Vice President and would exert all efforts to thwart schemes to unjustly unseat Robredo.