Akbayan partylist Rep. Walden Bello. BERNARD TESTA
MANILA, Philippines -- Akbayan partylist
Representative Walden Bello on Wednesday announced that he was
withdrawing support for President Benigno Aquino III because of the
"brazen cover-up" of the Mamasapano incident.
In a statement, Bello, who is a member of the majority coalition at the House of Representatives, also announced he was similarly resigning as representative of Akbayan in Congrress.
"I am withdrawing support from the President because I can no longer support a president who is washing his hands of responsibility of a mission he planned and executed," Bello said in a statement. "I am withdrawing support because I can no longer support a President engaged in a brazen coverup of his role in the Mamasapano tragedy. I am withdrawing support because I cannot support a man whose behavior is a disgrace to the presidency."
Bello then added that "as far as my future in Congress (is concerned)... I cannot continue to represent an organization with which I have a major policy disagreement such as on the question of support for the administration. So I have given notice of my intention to resign as Akbayan representative though I will remain in the party."
Bello is the first nominee of Akbayan. The other sitting representative is Ibarra Gutierrez, who said the party will process the points raised by Bello,
"Well obviously, coming from our senior representative in Congress, we have to give serious consideration to the statement made by Rep. Walden. I haven't had the chance to talk to him since his interview appeared in the Inquirer, but we will definitely take up his statement in the appropriate party deliberation as soon as possible," Gutierrez said.
"And yes, he has expressed on several occasions since last year, and even before the Mamasapano
tragedy, his intent to withdraw as one of our representatives due to diverging views on how to pursue reforms in the Aquino government. I personally feel very strongly that he should stay, and I think the party leadership shares this sentiment. But just the same, his expressed desire will undergo the appropriate party processes for serious consideration," he added.
Bello is expected to deliver a privilege speech on his resignation this afternoon.
Belmonte not bothered; Palace shrugs off breakaway
Asked to react, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said the partylist lawmaker's resignation would not have a dent on the majority coalition at the House, even as Malacanang Palace distanced itself from Bello's move.
"Considering that more than 92 or 93 percent belongs to the majority here in Congress, it doesn't really matter if one or two drops out," Belmonte said.
The House has 290 members.
Belmonte said there was no need for a loyalty check among the coalition members, as "their actions speak louder than any loyalty check, we have been together here and we have always been able to resolve any difference without fanfare."
Palace officials shrugged off Bello's breakaway, saying it's his personal decision and his right to do so; while noting that even his party list, Akbayan, from whose ranks belong some of the President's most rabid supporters, was distancing itself from Bello's decision.
Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. gave this reaction: "Personal na desisyon ni Rep. Bello, at kailangang respetuhin [It's the personal decision of Rep. Bello. It must be respected."
For his part, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said: "Rep. Bello's decision to withdraw is his own. My understanding is that Akbayan issued a statement that Rep. Bello's statements are not that of Akbayan."
In a statement, Bello, who is a member of the majority coalition at the House of Representatives, also announced he was similarly resigning as representative of Akbayan in Congrress.
"I am withdrawing support from the President because I can no longer support a president who is washing his hands of responsibility of a mission he planned and executed," Bello said in a statement. "I am withdrawing support because I can no longer support a President engaged in a brazen coverup of his role in the Mamasapano tragedy. I am withdrawing support because I cannot support a man whose behavior is a disgrace to the presidency."
Bello then added that "as far as my future in Congress (is concerned)... I cannot continue to represent an organization with which I have a major policy disagreement such as on the question of support for the administration. So I have given notice of my intention to resign as Akbayan representative though I will remain in the party."
Bello is the first nominee of Akbayan. The other sitting representative is Ibarra Gutierrez, who said the party will process the points raised by Bello,
"Well obviously, coming from our senior representative in Congress, we have to give serious consideration to the statement made by Rep. Walden. I haven't had the chance to talk to him since his interview appeared in the Inquirer, but we will definitely take up his statement in the appropriate party deliberation as soon as possible," Gutierrez said.
"And yes, he has expressed on several occasions since last year, and even before the Mamasapano
tragedy, his intent to withdraw as one of our representatives due to diverging views on how to pursue reforms in the Aquino government. I personally feel very strongly that he should stay, and I think the party leadership shares this sentiment. But just the same, his expressed desire will undergo the appropriate party processes for serious consideration," he added.
Bello is expected to deliver a privilege speech on his resignation this afternoon.
Belmonte not bothered; Palace shrugs off breakaway
Asked to react, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said the partylist lawmaker's resignation would not have a dent on the majority coalition at the House, even as Malacanang Palace distanced itself from Bello's move.
"Considering that more than 92 or 93 percent belongs to the majority here in Congress, it doesn't really matter if one or two drops out," Belmonte said.
The House has 290 members.
Belmonte said there was no need for a loyalty check among the coalition members, as "their actions speak louder than any loyalty check, we have been together here and we have always been able to resolve any difference without fanfare."
Palace officials shrugged off Bello's breakaway, saying it's his personal decision and his right to do so; while noting that even his party list, Akbayan, from whose ranks belong some of the President's most rabid supporters, was distancing itself from Bello's decision.
Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. gave this reaction: "Personal na desisyon ni Rep. Bello, at kailangang respetuhin [It's the personal decision of Rep. Bello. It must be respected."
For his part, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said: "Rep. Bello's decision to withdraw is his own. My understanding is that Akbayan issued a statement that Rep. Bello's statements are not that of Akbayan."
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