PB member sues vice gov for direct assault, slander

CATBALOGAN CITY, SAMAR , Philippines   â€” Provincial Board Member Alma Uy Lampasa on Thursday filed “direct assault” and “slander” charges against Vice Governor Stephen James Tan after the two figured in an altercation over some proposed resolutions being tackled during the session last August 20.

Lampasa, also a lawyer and former judge, filed the case before the City Prosecutor's Office here, under NPS Docket No. VIII-08-INV-13H-01222, but this has yet to undergo determination of a probable cause.

In an interview with The Freeman, Lampasa alleged that, during the session, Tan got irritated by her insistence to be recognized for her to be clarified on certain points contained in some committee reports discussed by the PB at the time.

“I don't know why I should not be recognized when it's an inherent right for a PB member to be clarified of whatever resolutions being tackled by the council. The vice governor was furious, he left his podium and approached me while shouting a lot of demeaning obscenities, which I just cannot let go,” Lampasa said.

Lampasa alleged further that the incident did not end inside the session hall but continued outside, particularly in front of people who were observing the session. She said all that she wanted was to be clarified of at least four letters or resolutions that were under deliberation at the time. 

Among the items she wanted to know were: the status of employment of one Rolando Montejo, who was a signatory of a letter seeking funds for some road construction; the legitimacy of fund requests for two communal irrigation projects by two people's organization thru the NIA; and the governor's request for a general authority to enter into any contracts and to receive aids or grants for and in behalf of the province.

Vice Governor Tan, the PB presiding officer, via a recorded video statement relative to the August 20 session, denied he tried to gag Lampasa, who he said should have waited instead for the right time to speak or to raise her comment.

Tan countered that Lampasa was interrupting the reading of the committee reports and, as presiding officer of the PB, it was his duty to maintain order during the proceedings. “We have rules to follow, we have parliamentary procedures, and she (Lampasa) should know that because she's a lawyer and a former judge,” he added.

Listening from the video statement of the vice governor, Lampasa told The Freeman that she knew well the parliamentary rules and it was for this reason why she asked first for the indulgence of the presiding officer to recognize her and be able to talk on the matter at hand, in accordance to the rules.  (FREEMAN)