Congressmen, including a senior official of the House of Representatives, have called on leaders of the Senate and the House to meet and settle their differences over the latter’s bid to hold Sen. Leila M. de Lima accountable for allegedly trying to sabotage the House Committee on Justice inquiry into the alleged New Bilibid Prisons illegal drugs trade.
House Deputy Speaker and Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro and ABS party-list Rep. Eugene de Vera said a meeting between House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and other key leaders of their respective chambers has become increasingly necessary in order for them resolve the controversy.
The two solons made the recommendation as a show cause order is expected to be sent to De Lima this week directing her to explain why she should not be held in contempt of a co-equal legislative assembly when she allegedly encouraged her former lover and aide, Ronnie Dayan, not to honor invitations for him to attend the Justice committee hearings.
Pimentel and other senators have assailed statements of congressmen over the issue even as they cited the significance of inter-parliamentary courtesy in resolving the issue. (Ben R. Rosario)