House ethics body asks Nograles to comment on unethical conduct case

MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Prospero Nograles was told yesterday to comment on a case filed against him before the House of Representatives ethics committee.

Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona, committee chairman, said Nograles has 10 calendar days from receipt of notice to comment on the allegations of unethical conduct filed by election lawyer Sixto Brillantes.

“We will weigh things after that,” he said. “As of now, what we have is only the complaint.”

The ethics committee also required Negros Oriental Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong to answer within 10 days allegations that she misused her pork barrel funds.

In a text message, Nograles said: “Surely, that is a process that we all need to go through. And the Speaker is not exempted. Am glad they did, and I can explain my position.”

Brillantes filed the case against Nograles, whom he accused of failing to enforce a decision of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) unseating Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez.

Brillantes said the decision has become “final and executory” after the HRET dismissed Fernandez’s motion for reconsideration.

The Laguna lawmaker has questioned before the Supreme Court the HRET ruling disqualifying him for allegedly lacking residency in his district.

Fernandez, a resident of Villa Toledo, Balibago, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, said he has been living in Sta. Rosa for nearly three years.

A Laguna resident, Jesus Vicente, questioned the lawmaker’s alleged lack of residency in his district.

Brillantes is Vicente’s lawyer.

Nograles said he could not enforce the HRET decision since Fernandez’s appeal is still pending with the Supreme Court.

“The House has to be very cautious because we don’t want to end up implementing something that can still be reversed by the Supreme Court,” he said.

“It is better and more prudent to wait for the Supreme Court before taking any action on Representative Fernandez’s case.”– Jess Diaz