Gascon’s resignation could reverse decision on CHR budget – minority leader

Leaders of the minority bloc in the House of Representatives yesterday said the resignation of Commission on Human Rights Chairman Chito Gascon could spell the reversal of the chamber’s decision to allocate a measly R1,000 for the agency in 2018.

Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez said he led a number of opposition solons in supporting the huge slash in the CHR budget in protest of Gascon’s alleged bias towards human rights violators during the term of former President Benigno Aquino III, who appointed him to the post.

Voting 119 for and 32 against, the Lower House approved on Tuesday a motion by SAGIP Partylist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta to slash the CHR budget from P678 milion to just R1,000 for its 2018 operations.

Suarez and a number of opposition lawmakers were among the “yes” voters while Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Buhay Partylist Rep. Lito Atienza led solons who slammed the motion.

“I am willing to ask the majority to reconsider if there will be a reorganization especially if he (Gascon) will resign. If he will stay there, we will stand pat on our support for the R1,000 budget,” said Suarez in a press conference.

Atienza drew the appreciation of the Liberal Party leadership with whom he had a falling out a few years ago.

In a press statement, the LP, a political party allied with Gascon, commended the 32 congressmen “who stood up against the House leadership.”

“We agree with the arguments of Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza against the motion of 1-Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta,” LP said.

.In arguing against Marcoleta’s motion, Atienza said that instead of abolishing the CHR, it deserved to be “strengthened because of the times.”

The opposition party stated: “The 32 are awake, while the 119 who voted for the measly CHR budget may be unaware that their vote could help lead to the end of our democracy. Because their “yes” votes means they agree to having more Kians, Carls, and Kulots in the future, defenseless in life and in death, their killers unpunished. Their deaths will be on them too.”

CIBAC Partylist Rep. Sherwin Tugna joined the snowballing call for Congress to retain the propsed budget for CHR.

Tugna said he would have voted against the R1,000 budget for CHR but he had left plenary hall before he agency’s budget was taken up.

“The CHR needs funds to check and balance abuses of those in power,” said Tugna.

Magdalo Partylist Rep. Gary Alejano also assailed the House decision.

“It is unfortunate that the House of Representatives has practically condoned widespread violations of human rights in the country today and has lost its power and mandate under the check and balance concept of our democracy,” he said.

Aside from Atienza and Alejano, the following voted against the Marcoleta motion were Liberal Party Reps. Reps. Kaka Bag-ao ( Dinagat Island); Jorge Banal III ( Quezon City); Kit Belmone (QC); Emmanuel Billiones (Capiz); Gabriel Bordado (Camarines Sur), Raul Daza (Northern Samar); Raul del Mar (Cebu City); Edcel Lagman (Albay); Jocelyn Limkaichong (Negros Oriental); and Edgar Erice (Caloocan City).

Also rejecting the motion were: Reps. Manuel Zubiri (Bukidnon Paglaun Party, Bukidnon); Carlos Zarate (Bayan Muna); Tom Villarin (Akbayan); Rosanna Vergara (NPC); Antonio Tinio (ACT Teachers Partylist); Bai Sandra Sema (PDP-Laban, Maguindanao); Aileen Radaza (PDP-laban, Lapu-lapu Ciy); Rosenda Ann Ocampo (PDP-Laban, Manila); Evelyn Mellana (NUP, Agusan del Sur); Mark Go (NP, Baguio City); Lawrence Fortun (NP, Agusan del Norte); Bayani Fernando (PDP-Laban, Marikina City); Sarah Elago (Kabataan Partylist); Emmi de Jesus (Gabriela); Wilfredo Caminero (PDP-Laban, Cebu); Ariel Casilao (Anakpawis); Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Partylist); and France Castro (ACT TEachers Partylist).