Nanawagan si Quezon Representative David “Jayjay” Suarez sa Kamara na imbestigahan ang tinawag niyang “fake news” ng SMNI tungkol sa travel expenses ni House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

Sa isang plenary session, hiniling niya na atasan ng Kamara ang Committee on Legislative Franchises na pinamumunuan ni Paranaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting na imbestigahan sa lalong madaling panahon ang ulat ng SMNI, na nagsabing gumastos umano si Romualdez at ang kanyang entourage ng halagang P1.8 bilyon sa biyahe.

“Unfortunately, we live in an environment of fake news. All of us are victims of fake news. And if we don’t stand up, rise and be heard, how would they (people) know what the truth is,” ani Suarez. 

“I call on my colleagues to be one on this action for seeking the truth. We are all public officials. And we are all open to criticisms and public opinions. And unfortunately, open to fake news. At ito pong pinalabas ng SMNI, isa po itong fake news. Hindi po ito totoo. Hawak hawak ko po ang statement mula sa ating Secretary General at kung maari po babasahin ko lang,” dagdag niya. 

Ayon kay sa mambabatas, napanood niya ang nasabing SMNI video. 

“At doon po sa video na yun na ipinalabas sa SMNI, at 10:27 PM, doon sinasabi that Speaker Martin Romualdez spent P1.8 billion in travelling. At dinagdagan pa, (na) baka nga hindi lang P1.8 (billion), mahigitan pa. Kasama ng kaniyang entourage,” aniya. 

Sa isang pahayag, pinabulaanan din ni House Secretary General Reginald Velasco ang mga ulat ng SMNI, aniya ang mga ito ay “completely unfounded and categorically false.” 

“These allegations are a clear example of fake news, designed to mislead the public and tarnish the reputation of the Speaker and the entire House of Representatives as an institution.” 

Hinimok pa ni Velasco ang publiko at media na mag ingat at iberipika muna ang mga naturang pahayag bago ibahagi ang mga ito. Tiniyak niya na ang Kamara ay nakatuon sa pagsunod sa transparency at accountability. 

“We, in the House of Representatives, are dedicated to serving the nation with integrity and will continue to focus on our legislative duties, rather than being distracted by unfounded rumors and misinformation,” aniya.

Photo credit: House of Representatives Official Website