Formal complaint to be filed against Makabayan lawmakers for ‘flash protest’

Several lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc raised banners saying “Mapang-aping Asendero” and “Serbisyo Palpak” after Pres. Aquino finished his SONA on Monday. (Screenshot from PCI livestream via RTV Malacanang)

MANILA — Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo has ordered his legal team to file a complaint before the House of Representatives Ethics Committee after seven lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc held a “silent protest” inside Batasang Pambansa the minute President Benigno Aquino III (PNoy) finished delivering his State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 27.

The crowd wasn’t even done applauding PNoy’s speech when the lawmakers revealed their banners for what they called a “flash protest.” Some banners read “Mapang-aping Asendero (abusive haciendero)”, “Human Rights Violator,” “Serbisyo Palpak (Failed Service),” “Pork Barrel King,” “Tuta ng Kano (Dog/Puppet of Americans),” and “Pahirap sa Mangagawa at Kawani (Burden to Workers and Employees).”

Senate President Franklin Drilon, who was right beside PNoy as the flash protest ensued, was seen and heard saying “boo” over the microphone from the plenary hall stage. Several attendees also booed in chorus.

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. clarified later on that the booing was directed at the protesters and not toward Aquino or his SONA.

Meanwhile, Belmonte, who was on the other side of PNoy during the silent rally, admitted later that night that he somehow felt embarrassed by the protest.

The seven lawmakers of the Makabayan bloc who held the “flash protest” were Rep. Neri Colmenares and Rep. Carlas Zarate of Bayan Muna Partylist,  Teri Ridon of Kabataan Partylist, Emmi de Jesus and Luz Ilagan of Gabriela Women’s Partylist, Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers, and  Fernando Hicap of Anakpawis.

“We will review the footage tonight and from there we will decide how we will make the complaint,” Castelo said to members of the media.

Castelo added that the plenary hall where the SONA was held is “sacred” under House policies and acts of protest may be sone outside the hall. However, Ridon believes otherwise.

“On part of the Makabayan bloc, we believe that the flash protest was very well within the boundary of our constitutional right to air our grievances,” Ridon said in statement Tuesday.

He added that it is their duty “as representatives of the poor and the marginalized sectors to speak truth to power.”