Congress ceasefire broken

House slams 'baseless' Senate claims; senators take offense

- DELON PORCALLA and CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE

It was a short-lived ceasefire.

The House of Representatives yesterday unleashed a volley at a "confrontational" Senate, releasing a resolution defending Speaker Martin Romualdez from "baseless accusations" of stealthily pushing a Charter change agenda detrimental to the Senate.

Party stalwarts from the super majority coalition authored and adopted House Resolution 1562 signed by 287 of the 310 congressmen, calling for senators' "adherence to inter-parliamentary courtesy."

"In the midst of Senate's accusations and confrontational stance, we affirm our unwavering solidarity and support to the leadership of the honorable Speaker Romualdez and uphold the integrity and honor of the House,"

Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. declared. Senators immediately fired back, saying they took offense at the House accusing them of "intense assault."

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said it is "unfortunate that it has come down to this," pointing out that the congressmen were the ones "who held press conferences, attacking me."

The House resolution stated that a Senate panel, led by Romualdez's cousin, Sen. Imee Marcos, "conducted an investigation without a clear legislative purpose, specifically directed at discrediting" the Speaker and the House in general.

"While taking criticisms is part and parcel of a healthy and working democracy, the House takes exception to the recent statements and allegations made by the Senate that undermine the independence, reputation and integrity of the House and the leadership of the Speaker," it said.