Neophyte senator Manny Pacquiao has earned praises for his recent action in a senate session that triggered the ouster of fellow senator Leila de Lima as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
In previous committee hearings, De Lima?who served as head of the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) before her election in the senate?has been criticized by opposition senators for her alleged impartiality in the conduct of her committee’s hearing on the administration’s campaign to combat drug addiction and criminality. On Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2016, Pacquiao took the podium in a live senate session and moved for the ouster of De Lima as well as the entire membership of Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, which is currently investigating the reported extra-judicial killings being attributed to the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. ?Mr. President, I move that the chairmanship and members(hip) of the committee on justice be declared vacant,? Pacquiao said. The motion led to a quick suspension of the proceedings as Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto called for a caucus to resolve the issue. Later Pacquiao, who supports the administration of Duterte, reiterated his motion to declare the committee positions vacant. Voting for or against it was made after the caucus with the majority voting in favor of Pacquiao’s motion after which a new membership was constituted with Sen. Richard Gordon as the new chairman. Pacquiao’s initiative was hailed by netizens in social media for being the first to unseat a chairman of a standing committee. But there were also some who did not share the nitizen’s majority opinion with regards to Pacquiao’s initiative. Here are some of typical comments on Facebook praising Pacquiao for his courageous effort that led to the ouster of De Lima. In his Facebook post, Mike Garcia said: “New found respect. History was made today, September 19, 2016 at the Philippine Senate. The first to unseat a chairman and members of a Standing Committee. Today, the Pambansang Kamao was a giant among giants in the annals of the Senate.” Goldie Fabros said: “Thank you so much Sen. Manny! Thank you for protecting what is just and right. Please continue to protect the interest of people not of those who are serving their personal interest.” Dolores Mamaril asked: “Would you take a chance on being judged in heaven by the same rules that you judge your fellow men? Lab Labanan said: “Can’t wait to see you napping or kissing the floor again, Packq.” De Lima, who walked out of the senate session before her ouster as chairperson of the Justice and Human Rights Committee, denied allegations that she coached witness Edgar Matobato, who claimed before the committee that President Duterte was behind the extra-judicial killings in Davao City during his incumbency as mayor of the city. While De Lima has been ousted as the chairperson of the committee, she remains a member of the same committee which will hold its next session on Thursday under the chairmanship of Sen. Richard Gordon.
