Sectoral rep faces ethics panel probe for sanctioning spray-painting atHouse

A sectoral representative may face investigation by the House ethics committee for allegedly sanctioning spray-painting at the Batasan building by members of his organization.

Deputy Speaker Daisy Fuentes (LAMP, South Cotabato) told reporters yesterday that the ethics panel should investigate Renato Magtubo, who represents the militant labor group Sanlakas in the House.

She said as Sanlakas head, Magtubo could be held responsible for what his members did at the Batasan last Saturday.

Sanlakas members spray-painted the office of Rep. Julio Ledesma, labor committee chairman, and the walls of the Batasan building with the slogan, "Proteksyon o Rebolusyon."

Yesterday, more than a thousand supporters of Magtubo demonstrated at the Batasan, shouting the same slogan. The mass action coincided with a privilege speech of their representative entitled, "Protection or Revolution."

Fuentes said what Magtubo's members did on Saturday was an affront to the entire House as an institution.

"Sanlakas may have just lost some pogi points with its friends in Congress," she said.

She said Magtubo and his organization should have used the proper House forum such as the privilege hour to convey their message.

"Rene can deliver a privilege speech anytime he wishes to. He can harangue anybody without fear of a lawsuit because he is protected by the mantle of parliamentary immunity," she added.

However, before the sectoral representative can be investigated by the ethics committee, a formal complaint has to be lodged against him. As of yesterday, no such complaint had been filed.

In his privilege speech, Magtubo called for the protection of workers against the onslaught of globalization.

He chided his colleagues for adopting a "who cares?" attitude toward labor and sitting on several pro-labor bills, including one seeking a P125 across-the-board increase in the daily wage.

"If the state will not protect the economy against globalization, then at the very least, it should protect the workers from its havoc," he said.

"Mr. Speaker, the workers are beating at the gates of Congress. Do we not hear their pleas getting more desperate? Do we not see their protest getting more militant? Will we provide protection to labor? Or will we drive the workers towards revolution?" he asked.

In a related development, members of an equally militant Freedom from Debt Coalition served yesterday a "notice of eviction" to Rep. Arnulfo Fuentebella (LAMP, Camarines Sur), chairman of the House energy committee.

Coalition members plastered Fuentebella's Batasan office with the notice.

They took the Bicol congressman to task for pushing hard for the passage of the Power Industry Reform Bill which they said would result in higher electric bills for consumers.

They also accused the House of trying to railroad the approval of the measure.

Congressmen are scheduled to vote on the bill today or tomorrow before going on their month-long Lenten recess on Friday. --