Solon steps out of plenary, fails to vote on CHR’s proposed P1k budget

Ifugao Representative Teddy Baguilat Jr. on Wednesday expressed his disappointment over his colleagues' decision to give the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) a P1,000 budget next year. At the same time, he apologized to Filipinos for stepping out of the plenary right before the voting, preventing him from casting his vote.

"Disappointed we gave CHR a 1K budget. Disappointed in myself I was not around to vote against d cut. I apologize 2 d Filipinos," Baguilat wrote on Twitter.

Disappointed we gave CHR a 1K budget. Disappointed in myself I was not around to vote against d cut. I apologize 2 d Filipinos.

— Teddy B. Baguilat (@TeddyBaguilatJr) September 12, 2017

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, with a vote of 119-32 approved 1-SAGIP party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta's motion to reduce the 2018 proposed budget of the CHR to P1,000.

Baguilat, meanwhile, said that he "should have anticipated" that this move would happen.

"Should have not stepped out of the plenary and meet constituents. Unforgivable," he said.

Should have anticipated this would happen. Should have not stepped out of the plenary https://t.co/peX08qYn0W constituents. Unforgivable.

— Teddy B. Baguilat (@TeddyBaguilatJr) September 12, 2017

"No excuse. Lesson learned for me and my staff. I should have asked them to prompt me a nominal voting was taking place. Again, deeply sorry," he added.

Under nominal voting, lawmakers are asked to cast their votes one by one. In contrast, a viva voce — the other form of voting — only requires lawmakers to shout out their votes through an "aye" or "nay" (yes or no). The vote with the much louder response wins.

Along with Baguilat, Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto also missed the session, saying that she had medical issues to attend to at the time.

However, she said that she would have voted against the P1,000 proposed budget.

Minority congressmen have also slammed the move, with Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman saying that giving the CHR a P1,000 budget is "embarrassing and unconstitutional."

Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, for his part, said that CHR has essentially been abolished due to the budget reduction.

CHR chairman Chito Gascon, for his part, said that the decision of the House was a "display of vindictiveness." — MDM, GMA News