TWO female lawmakers in the House of Representatives formally lodged an ethics complaint against Agri party-list representative and senatorial candidate Wilbert Lee, who allegedly threatened and bullied them last month inside the plenary.
Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo and BHW party-list Rep. Natasha Co personally filed the four-page ethics complaint against Lee at the House Index Division yesterday, hoping for immediate action from the committee chair, Coop-natcco party-list Rep. Felimon Espares.
“It was carefully considered. It also went through self-doubt. Reviewed the true and unspliced videos. I waited for a heartfelt apology. We weighed the pros and cons because individuals, families, and institutions are affected,” said Quimbo.
Nevertheless, they need to stand up for the safety of women because their experience with Lee, who allegedly threatened them during the deliberation of the Department of Health (DOH) budget on September 25, 2024, could happen to others.
Quimbo said Lee became aggressive, allegedly pointed at them along with Co, and threatened, “If you don’t let me speak, I will cause trouble,” before grabbing the microphone from Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza.
“But this is not just about me or Cong. Nikka alone. This is largely about women’s workspaces being disrespected. As women in the workplace, we should not be intimidated. This is the first time I have felt the bullying of a man in Congress,” Quimbo said.
Co requested the committee to ensure that Lee attends the hearing on their filed case, prompting her to cancel all travel authorities of party-list solons in the coming months.
Aside from the disciplinary measure against Lee, which Co called a “fake advocate,” he allegedly needs to issue a public apology and remove the fake news spread by his “evil of legion” on social media.
“Congressman Lee does everything just to grandstand and gain popularity. He is a fake, merely pretending to be an advocate while aiming for a Senate seat. He was given enough time to interpellate, and his ignorance of the rules does not excuse his disrespect. Hell hath no fury like the public when deceived by a pretender,” Co said.
