Suarez backs Philippines' withdrawal from IPU
MANILA, Philippines — Minority Leader Danilo Suarez has filed a resolution expressing the support of the lower house on the recommendation to withdraw the country’s membership from the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Suarez filed House Resolution 2270 Tuesday, a day after his close ally Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made the suggestion to the Senate to withdraw from the group of global lawmakers.
Arroyo’s IPU pullout bid came after the organization reportedly reiterated its call on Philippine authorities to release Sen. Leila de Lima and expressed concern over the revival of cases against Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.
Suarez noted that the “IPU stepped outside its boundaries with its interference in the country’s judicial processes which runs counter to the principle of State sovereignty.”
“Therefore, be it resolved as it is hereby resolved, for the House of Representatives to express its support for the withdrawal of the membership of the Philippines from the Inter-Parliamentary Union,” the resolution said.
A simple resolution expresses the sense, or sentiment, of a congressional chamber but is non-binding.
Malacañang on Tuesday said it backs the proposal of Arroyo, but senators have opposing opinions on the matter.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said the Philippines is a sovereign state with a working judicial process. He added he is inclined to support his counterpart’s proposal but he would have to consult his colleagues first.
For Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Arroyo’s call was based on the wrong premise as the IPU has yet to act on the recommendations of the organization’s human rights committee.
He also stressed that it is the Senate, not the House of Representatives, that is a member of the IPU. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
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