Reps. Defensor, Garin: Feeling ‘Honored’ and ‘Wrongly Accused’

By Alex P. Vidal 

“The genius of impeachment lay in the fact that it could punish the man without punishing the office.” —Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

THE first is exuding with ebullience; the other is ululating in distress.

Two contrasting reactions from two Iloilo solons hogged headlines in Iloilo City following the endorsement of impeachment complaint by the Lower House to the Upper Chamber against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio February 5.

While Iloilo 3^rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor reportedly “felt honored” for being tapped as member of the 11-member prosecution team when the impeachment case is litigated in the senate, Iloilo 1^st district Rep. Janette Loreto-Garin reportedly felt she was “wrongly accused” by Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte, the vice president’s brother, of orchestrating the signature campaign that led to a sufficient number of signatures to impeach Mrs. Duterte-Carpio.

Defensor’s reaction instantly elicited applause and plaudits from his constituents and fellow public officials in Iloilo who admired his frankness and dauntlessness amid the political pressure and controversy generated by the vice president’s alleged involvement in various irregularities that supposedly warrants a removal from public office.

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Public reaction to Loreto-Garin’s defensive sallies against the charges from the Davao solon was mixed.

Others were saying “it would have been best” if she ignored Rep. Duterte’s saber-rattling as it was normal for a brother to react aggressively and be wrathful for fear the family’s best bet for the presidency of the Philippines in 2028 is in danger of being wrecked politically if ousted as vice president.

All the rest of the lawmakers from Iloilo and Guimaras who were among the 215 signatories of the 306-member House of Representatives have remained mum, so far.

“Nalipay ako sa pagsalig kag kumpiyansa nga ginhatag sang liderato sang Kongreso sa akon, sa ila pagpili sa akon bilang isa sa prosecutors,” said Defensor, who is a lawyer. “Natural lang nga may pressure sa tanan nga desisyon kapin pa sa impeachment but you have to act on your constitutional duty nga kon pilion ka sang liderato sang Kongreso dapat sabton mo ang paghangkat.”

(I am happy for the trust and confidence given to me by the leadership of congress by choosing me as one of the prosecutors. It is but natural that there are pressures in the decision-making pertaining to impeachment, but you have to act on your constitutional duty if chosen by the leadership of congress. You have to answer the challenge.)

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Loreto-Garin told ANC: “Definitely no it’s not true. It’s fake news. I have full respect for Cong. Paolo Duterte. However, I am very much surprised on how he vets information that goes through him or his office. It’s a very malicious accusation and it’s totally baseless.”

She further explained: “We were called for a party consensus and party consultations around 10:30 or 11:00 this morning. I attended though I was late, and I heard the presentation of the officers. I signed as my constitutional duty, but I never forced, intimidated or became a part of the gathering of signatures. It was a full meeting with many members of Congress, and it was the prerogative of everybody who wanted to sign or wanted to leave.”

But again, allow me to reiterate: the statement of Cong. Paolo Duterte is unfounded. It would’ve been good if he will attend sessions and meetings in Congress so that he can get the correct and first-hand information,” Garin said.

“I mean, I do respect him, but I challenge him to come out in the open and name names on whoever fed him the wrong information. Because as a public official, it’s very alarming that he does not vet or does not validate information going to his office.”

Defensor’s colleagues in the prosecution team are: Rep. Gerville “JinkyBitrics” Luistro (Batangas, 2nd District); Rep. Romeo Acop (Antipolo, 2nd District); Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez (1-Rider Partylist); Rep. Joel Chua (Manila, 3rd District); Rep. Rau Angelo “Jil” Bongalon (AKO Bicol); Rep. Loreto Acharon (General Santos, Lone District); Rep. Marcelino Libanan (4Ps Party-list); Rep. Arnan Panaligan (Oriental Mindoro, 1st District); Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora (San Juan, Lone District); and Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores (Bukidnon, 2nd District).

A key focus in the impeachment case will be Mrs. Duterte-Carpio’s alleged misuse of confidential and intelligence funds, including P500 million from the Office of the Vice President and P112.5 million from the Department of Education.

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FOUR TRAITS MEN FIND IRRESISTIBLE. 1. Ignore him after five minutes 2. Be comfortable in your skin 3. Show off your playful side 4. Talk about what you really love (Cosmopolitan)

THE SKINNY ON SUGAR DRINKS. An average child consumes 224 calories each day from guzzling sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, sports drinks, and punches, reports a Columbia University study. So, let’s take inventory of the liquid calories lurking in the fridge, and swap in calorie-free alternatives.

POMEGRANATE JUICE IS HEALTHIER THAN THE FRUIT ITSELF. Most of the fruit’s antioxidants are found in the inedible rind of the fruit–but the rind is typically used to create the juice. Pomegranate juice helps protect the heart and prevent arthritis and gingivitis. Let’s choose pure pomegranate juice with no added sugars or fillers (such as apple or pear juice).

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)