Del Mar hits back at Frasco over ABS-CBN issue

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City North District Rep. Raul del Mar has refuted the claim of Cebu Fifth District Rep. Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco that the so-called Visayan Bloc was “solid” in their support to the House Speaker that the hearings of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal bills were not urgent.

Del Mar delivered Monday his personal and collective privilege speech for failure to respond to the privilege speech of Frasco last March 4.

Frasco alleged that del Mar and Cebu City South District Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa acted out of order for delivering a privilege speech to lobby explicitly for immediate action on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal.

He cited Rule 16, Section 122 of the House Rules that does not allow members of the House to use the privilege hour to speak on concerns related to pending measures.

“That accusation has cast aspersions on my knowledge of the House Rules and my conduct as a legislator for a good number of years now. What did I do, which the gentleman from Cebu said made my conduct ‘out of order’?” del Mar said.

Del Mar said the Visayan Bloc was not called to a meeting, did not meet, and were not sounded out in any manner for a consensus on the issue, thus, he refuted the claim.

“I needed to set the record straight and to protect my humble reputation as member of this House. There was no stand of the Visayan Bloc and I did not disrespect the group when I expressed my opinion,” said del Mar.

Del Mar stood firm that ABS-CBN be given its day in Congress as it is given its day in court and argued that he did not violate any House Rules.

“My speech did not dwell on, not even touch, the merits of the major issue, which is the granting or denial of the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise. I did not speak on the merits of the franchise renewal or non-renewal, which I know I could not do. I spoke to correct a falsehood and protect my honor, which I know I had all the right to do,” del Mar said.

Del Mar said Frasco must have assumed that the 35-member House Visayas Development Committee which he chairs is the same as the 45-member Visayan Bloc chaired by its lead convenor, former congressman Albee Benetiz.

“Still, even if the gentleman of the 5th district of Cebu had confused one group with the other, the claim of “solid stand” from the region’s legislators on the question of non-urgency of the hearings remains false. There had been no meeting to forge a common stand, either by the House committee or the alliance of the Visayan Bloc legislators,” del Mar said.

Del Mar stressed that for the 27 years that he had served in the House, six years of which as Deputy Speaker, he has conducted himself fairly, according to the norms laid down by the House.  JMD (FREEMAN)