Solon in slapping incident faces sanctions from colleagues

Rep. Loretta Ann Rosales (party list) sought yesterday the imposition of sanctions on Rep. Jose Mari Gonzalez of the presidential hometown of San Juan for slapping a House official last Monday.

She said her colleague’s "inexcusable and reprehensible behavior has tarnished the integrity, honor and reputation of the entire House of Representatives."

She said members of Congress should be the "examples of exemplary behavior and conduct."

Rosales, who belongs to the minority, filed a resolution seeking the investigation of Gonzalez by the ethics committee and the imposition of appropriate sanctions.

She said under House rules, Gonzalez’s misconduct could merit suspension or expulsion.

When tempers flared Monday night at the House, the San Juan congressman, for no apparent reason and without provocation, slapped House sergeant-at-arms Bayani Fabic in the face in the presence of then incoming Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella.

The incident was caught by television cameras.

The 67-year-old Fabic, a retired Army brigadier general, said he would file a complaint with the ethics committee. The Asssociation of Generals and Flag Officers headed by retired Brig. Gen. Rosalino Alquiza has vowed to support Fabic.

House sources said the newly installed Speaker has requested Fabic to forget about the incident.

A somewhat contrite Gonzalez has asked for forgiveness from Fabic and those who saw his "ungentlemanly act" on television.

The San Juan congressman is a leader of the Fuentebella group of pro-Estrada congressmen who ousted former Speaker Manuel Villar Jr. last Monday night.

Tempers flared among some members of Fuentebella’s group when Villar speedily transmitted the Articles of Impeachment against their party boss to the Senate in a masterstroke that caught them flatfooted.

Apparently, Gonzalez was angered by the noisy celebration of the historic moment by the anti-Estrada crowd in the gallery and took it against Fabic.

Gonzalez was previously involved in a similar incident. Sometime ago, he challenged motioned Senior Deputy Minority Leader Sergio Apostol to a boxing bout outside the session hall at the height of a heated debate. – Jess Diaz