MINORITY PRESS CONFERENCE

Aug 16 2016

Last nights proceeding witnessed the formal installation by the supermajority of

their chosen majority leader. It was also on the same night that we witnessed the
pendulum of alliance of those who abstained and later, returned to their mother parties in
the majority coalition.
Rep. Danilos Suarezs election as minority leader is irregular because those who
called for the said election are those who abstained, who are erroneously considered
members of the minority when they should be considered independent members of the
House. Last night proved that there is really an ascendancy of numbers over logic and
reason.
Legitimate8 is asking for a certification of last nights proceedings because there
were very important facts and details that were disclosed and they are incontrovertible.
Legitimate 8 was mentioned by Majority Leader Rodolfo Farinas yesterday and now
part of the records of the House
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOUR COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS?
Legitimate8 has no membership until now. They will be asking audience with the
Speaker so that we will be given their entitlements as members of committees which is
their right as members of the House.
WHAT IS YOUR NEXT MOVE? SUPREME COURT?
Probably yes. The group has been trying to clarify matters but to no avail. As much
as possible, In cases of dispute within the House, it is a tradition to settle within but it is
clear that they have no respect for the rules, traditions and precedence of the House.
The bright side of yesterdays proceedings is that it established the predicate for the
groups future action before the SC. When majority voted down the parliamentary inquiry of
Rep. Lagman, it is as if it is the majority of the House which chose the minority leader.
HAVE YOU SUBMITTED LIST OF PRIORITY PROJECTS? WILL YOU BE
MARGINALIZED?
The members of the group has not yet submitted. They believe that they will not be
discriminated as this entitlement is equal to all members of the House.

HOW MUCH IS THE ENTITLEMENT?

50 Million hard projects and 30 Million soft projects. A 10 Million increase from the past
congress.
HAS THERE BEEN OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION RE: ENTITLEMENTS?
None. Through the grapevine. The staff were instructed to inform the principals.
WILL YOU SUBMIT A LIST OF PRIORITY PROJECTS?
Of course. Whether it is optional or mandatory, it is for our districts. The group reminded
everyone not to forget they are representing rural districts which needs viable projects and
programs.
MARCOS BURIAL ON THE LIBINGAN NG MGA BAYANI
We have filed a petition for prohibition at the Supreme Court yesterday together with
Family of Involuntary Disappearances etc.
PRES DUTERTE SAID THAT THE YELLOWS SHOULD HAVE FILED A LAW DURING
TIME OF CORY TO PERMANENTLY DISALLOW THE BURIAL OF FERDINAND
MARCOS AT THE LIBINGAN NG MGA BAYANI.
That could have been an oversight of those he refers to as yellows but these des
aparacedos antedated the yellow regime. The real heroes and martyrs are the victims of
the martial law not the dictator who does not deserve to be interned in the Libingan ng mga
Bayani. Marcos Burial at the LNMB will not achieve closure. It would perpetuate a patent
injustice. It would escalate national discord and disunity. The wounds inflicted during
martial law bleed anew. The fact that he was a soldier and a president has been greatly
diminished and nullified by his cardinal offenses against the Filipino nation.
RA 10368 Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 is a
legislative and executive validation of the atrocities and violations during to which Marcos
should be held accountable. The law amended and modified the AFP Guidelines on the
burial at the LNMB because it disqualified Marcos from being given a state funeral at the
LNMB.
The guidelines should be construed that only the deserving should be buried there
consistent with the provision of RA 289, An Act for the Construction of Pantheons for
Presidents. Those who will be buried there to be inspiration and emulation of generations
to come. Moreover, the Marcos family is estopped when it waived the LNMB burial of
Marcos when it agreed to the four conditions of President Ramos for the body to be flown
to the Philippines.
Letting Marcos be buried there is burying the memories of the victims- the abused,
the tortured, the disappeared during the martial law era.

MINORITY PRESS CONFERENCE

9 August 2016

REPORTED DECISION OF THE MAJORITY TO POSTPONE THE BARANGAY AND SK

ELECTIONS AND THE NEED TO ENACT THE ENABLING LAW
It was reported that the majority convened to postpone the barangay elections in
anticipation of the electoral processes related to charter change. If that is the decision,
there is a need to enact the enabling law so that COMELEC should stop preparing in
expensive anticipation of the barangay and SK elections. This must be prioritized by
congress but the problem, there is no committee on suffrage and local governments to
study on this.
Is it too late to postpone?
No. In the 16th Congress, there was supposed to be an SK election but they were
able to postpone it middle of October but it was certified by Pres. Aquino as urgent. If the
majority has resolved to postpone it, they must seek the help of Pres. Duterte.
This also depends on how fast committees can be organized. Many committees
have not yet been organized. There is a rule that before the President can certify a bill, it
must have passed the committee level but how can that happen if there are no committees
yet?

WAR ON DRUGS
Premature list
The authentic minority supports the contention of the Chief Justice. The nature of
involvement must be explained, not only be limited to the judiciary, but all that is included in
the list.
As of now, there are two types of killings- extrajudicial with actual summary
execution of perceived offenders and the other one, is killing reputation by publicity but in
both cases, they defy the tenets of due process and rule of law. The list is just that if the
administration will not charge them with anything. There is also a question of validation.
Can Malacanan solve the drugs issue in 3-6 months?
At the moment, the President is winning the propaganda war but to be sustainable,
killing, shaming and naming will continue for the next 6 years. Innocent lives and those
with hope of recovery are being put in jeopardy and treated as collateral damages.
Vigilantism
The concern about extra judicial killings perpetrated by unknown assailants no
proper investigation until now. It is a reflection of administrations policy. It is not really keen
on following proper law enforcement procedures. While there is already an order by the
DILG Secretary but even Duterte contradicts his own secretary.
This is alarming because it is a reflection of how we value society and how
President Duterte views the sanctity of life, due process and rule of law. Justice Serenos
letter, in a way, is a form of admonishment that PD that he can above the law. Also, an
admonishment to this administration that our institutions are democratic institutions are still
working.
It is good that there are already reactions from other institutions that this war against
drugs should be coherent and it should put into perspective that the right to life and the
value of a human life is of foremost importance. This is not just about nameless, faceless
people who are allegedly involved in the drug trade but about lives.