QUEZON Rep. David "Jay-jay" Suarez
QUEZON Rep. David “Jay-jay” Suarez on Tuesday called on the House of Representatives to direct the Committee on Legislative Franchises chaired by Paranaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting to investigate immediately the SMNI news report that Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and his entourage allegedly spent P1.8 billion in travel expenses, calling it “’fake news.’ 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,” he said.
He said it is in the spirit of transparency and accountability that he is humbly requesting the chamber to direct the committee, in the exercise of its inherent oversight function, to investigate the matter immediately and other similar measures pending with the committee.
“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,” he said.
Rep. Suarez said he was able to watch the SMNI video this morning. “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,” he said.
In a statement, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco refuted the SMNI reports, saying that these “are completely unfounded and categorically false,”adding that, “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.”
Secretary General Velasco urged the public and the media to exercise caution and verify such claims first before sharing them. He assured that the House is committed to transparency and 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,” he said.
