House leader slams Lacson for ‘makakapal ang mukha’ remark

Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro on Sunday rebuked Senator Panfilo Lacson for calling House lawmakers "thick-skinned" or "makapal ang mukha" for pushing a constituent assembly in amending the Charter, saying that remark was not only "unparliamentary" but also "inhuman," "unprofessional" and smacks of "bad taste."

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, Castro advised Lacson not to put his fellow lawmakers in such a bad taste, as the purported "selfish motive" behind congressmen's push for a constituent assembly are all "speculative."

"Unang-una, itong mga akusasyon na yung mga term extension, mga benepisyo na sinasabi nila na nilalakad nito, ay masyado namang speculative pa yan," Castro said.

"Kung iilang tao lamang ang nagsasabi niyan, e hindi naman yan kabuuan ng Mababang Kapulungan," he added.

In a press conference on Thursday, Lacson took a swipe at congressmen, saying that their move to have a joint constituent assembly to amend the constitution will violate the doctrine of checks and balance.

Lacson also said he will file a resolution to constitute the Senate as a separate body proposing amendments to the Constitution to ensure that the upper chamber is not rendered irrelevant in amending the highest law of the land.

"Kung isang buong constituent assembly yung both houses, wala nang check and balance. Kakainin kami lahat ng boto ng mga kongresista (sa Kamara) ," he said.

"Kung ganun kakapal yung pagmumukha nila, e ano ang magpe-prevent? Kakapal lalo ang pagmumukha nila kapag nag-holdover na sila," he added.

But for Castro pointed out that only the electorate can judge the abilities of the lawmakers, not their fellow lawmakers like Lacson.

"Ine-expect ng ating mga mamamayan na maging edukado tayo sa pananalita natin dahil kung akusahan mo ang mga kapwa mo mambabatas na makakapal ng mukha, para namang ito ay taliwas o hindi angkop sa mabuting panlasa," he said.

"Hindi ito tamang repleksyon ng isang pagkatao na inaasahan ng ating mga mamamayan sa isang mambabatas na kapareho ni Senator Ping Lacson," he added.

Castro said Lacson has no right to accuse fellow lawmakers. 

"Wala kang karapatan na sabihin yan sapagkat ang taumbayan lamang ang may karapatan na hatulan ang mga kongresista ... gaya ng ang may karapatan na hatulan ang mga senador ay ang taumbayan," he said.

Lacson, Castro added, should be more careful of what he says about his fellow lawmakers, as he may lose the respect of those who voted for him.

"Hindi lamang unparliamentary, kundi hindi makatao, hindi propesyunal, walang edukasyon," he added. —LBG, GMA News