By Junex Doronio

NOT EVEN A FORMER PRESIDENT can denigrate Congress.

Although he did not name names this, in essence, was the firm stance of Speaker Martin Romualdez as he has vowed to “vehemently defend” Congress from the “dissatisfied few” who sow divisiveness by maligning the House of Representatives’ image.

House Senior Deputy Speaker Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga’s 3rd district said that it was former President Rodrigo Duterte who called Congress the country’s “most rotten institution.”

“The one who uttered that word is our chairperson from PDP Laban… I will resign now as a member and officer of PDP Laban. The former President Rodrigo Duterte was the one who said that” Gonzales said on Monday, November 6.

Gonzales was the erstwhile party treasurer of the PDP-Laban which had been “hijacked” by FPRRD from Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, son of the late PDP-Laban founder former Sen. Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr.

“I respect his decision to go out of the party, and I would encourage that those who are not in tune with us, or ‘di niyo nagustuhan, you’re always welcome to go,” Duterte said in reaction to Gonzales’ resignation during the “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” program on SMNI Network.

According to Wikipedia, SMNI is owned and operated by Swara Sug Media Corporation, the parent company of Sonshine Media Network International, a broadcasting arm of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) led by Filipino televangelist and religious leader, Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy.

Crossing party lines, the congressmen also adopted a measure expressing support for Romualdez while taking exception to statements that undermine the lower chamber’s “independence, integrity and reputation.”

(ai/mnm)

By Liza Soriano

The Philippines is an irreplaceable partner for Japan.

So said Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on Saturday in his speech as he graced the special joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City.

Kishida likewise said that he was honored to speak before the Congress of the Philippines.

The most recent joint gathering of the House of Representatives and the Senate to receive a message from a foreign head of state occurred in February 2006 when Indian President Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam visited.

The joint Congress has previously hosted several other international leaders, including Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in April 2005, China President Hu Jintao in April 2005, US President George W. Bush in 2003, and US President Dwight Eisenhower in 1960.

“The Philippines, with the second largest population among ASEAN countries and more than 300,000 citizens living in Japan, is an irreplaceable partner for Japan. I am honored to have the opportunity to be the first Japanese Prime Minister to speak here at the Congress of the Philippines, which has a long tradition,” the Prime Minister said.

He also said that the Japan-Philippines relationship has reached the point of being called a “golden age.”

“This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the friendship and cooperation between Japan and ASEAN, and in December, we will host a commemorative summit meeting in Tokyo,” Kishida said.

“Against this backdrop, I am very delighted to have the opportunity to visit Manila for the first time as Prime Minister and to express my views on Japan’s foreign policy, including strengthening relations with the Philippines and ASEAN,” he added.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez extended appreciation to Kishida.

“In the spirit of unity and partnership, we extend our sincere and heartfelt appreciation to his excellency, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio,” Romualdez said.

“With reverence and hope for our shared future, today’s discourse fortifies the bridge between our great nations. Maraming salamat at mabuhay po tayong lahat!” he added.

Kishida visited the Philippines from November 3 to 4. He was welcomed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday in Malacañang Palace.

(ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio 

IT’S GONNA BE AN EXCITING “NEW BATTLE OF MACTAN!”

This is the exhilarating anticipation of many residents in the highly urbanized city of Lapu-Lapu after they were turned off by what they call blatant meddling of local officials in the recently-concluded Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) that was swept by candidates openly endorsed by Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan.

Talks have been swirling that in the upcoming 2025 polls, Ako Bisaya party-list Representative Sonny Lagon is now going to wrest the mayoral seat from Ahong Chan’s grip.

Learning from his former patron, the Radaza political dynasty that ruled for 18 long years, Chan is now building his dynasty with his wife Cindi as the incumbent representative of Lapu-Lapu City’s lone district, and daughter Daday who won as barangay captain of Basak, the largest in the 30 barangays of Lapu-Lapu City.

Local political observers said that Chan, a member of the PDP-Laban faction of former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte, will be facing a formidable opponent in Ako Bisaya party-list Rep. Sonny Lagon whose wife Daphne is the incumbent congresswoman of the 6th district of Cordova in Mactan island and Consolacion in Cebu island province.

The Lagon couple in the House of Representatives is more identified with Speaker Ferdinand Martin G.  Romualdez.

To recall, in April the Ako Bisaya party-list representative said the “involved leadership” of Romualdez has resulted in high survey ratings for the lower chamber and for the Speaker himself.

“And we, as members [of the House], emulate the diligence we see in our leaders. This is truly genuine leadership by example,” Sonny Lagon said.

Lagon, who is a vice chairman of the House Committees on Ways and Means and on Games and Amusement, stressed the “inspiring kind” of Romualdez’s leadership.

“What we have is an ‘involved leadership’ that allows House leaders and members a free rein on their respective duties and responsibilities without the need for micromanagement,” he noted.

Although Sonny Lagon has neither confirmed nor denied the rumors many Oponganons (residents of Lapu-Lapu City whose old name was Opon) now really want to see genuine change and development.

Not just in TikTok and claims by trolls.

Photo courtesy: Flickr

(ai/mnm)