House leader resigns from Pdp-laban, calls out Duterte
House Senior Deputy Speaker Pampanga Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr. named his party-mate, former President Rodrigo Duterte, as the one who has assailed the integrity of the House of Representatives.
But just before doing so, Gonzales resigned from his party, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-lakas ng Bayan (Pdp-laban), where he was erstwhile party treasurer.
This took place on the plenary floor on Monday, November 6, during a meeting of the Committee of the Whole, which involved all 227 House members present at that time.
In a cordial exchange with independent minority solon Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, Gonzales admitted to "feeling bad" when a certain personality called the House as a "rotten" institution.
"I hate to say this, Mr. Chairman, but when I heard the word ‘rotten,’ of course I felt bad," the Senior Deputy Speaker said.
It was early October when Duterte – chairman of the Pdp-laban – went on television and called out Congress as the "most rotten institution" in the country. Despite this being widely reported in the media, Gonzales didn't mention
Duterte's name.
"But may we know who uttered that statement? Was it a comic, or a leader, or previous leader of this country?" Lagman asked.
When Gonzales didn't answer, the Bicolano said: "Why is the name of that accuser so sacrosanct that we cannot mention it before this body?"
Gonzales sought a minute-long suspension, before deciding to finally answer Lagman's query.
"Before I will answer your question, Mr. President of the PDP party, are you here? Mr. President (Palawan 2nd district), Congressman Alvarez, the one who uttered that word is our chairman from Pdp-laban," he said.
"Before I will answer, I will resign now as member and officer of Pdplaban: The former President, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the one who said that, Mr. Chairman," he added in somber tone.
Afterward, Gonzales approached Alvarez and hugged him.
The purpose of the Committee of the Whole meeting was to discuss House Resolution (HR) No.1414, which sought to "(Uphold) the integrity and honor of the House of Representatives and (express) appreciation, solidarity, and support to the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez."