Pichay eyes ethics complaint vs. Barbers for 'unparliamentary' conduct

Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay is set to file an ethics complaint against Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert "Ace" Barbers after the two nearly came to blows during a House panel hearing on amending the Constitution on Wednesday.

During the hearing, Barbers branded as "stupid and senseless" Pichay's suggestion to invite senators to the House of Representatives before voting on what mode to use to amend the Charter.

Barbers approached and confronted Pichay, with the two ending up hurling expletives at each other. Barbers pointed a finger at Pichay, who parried his fellow lawmaker's arm.

Pichay said he is not demanding an apology from Barbers.

"I will file actually sa ethics committee for conduct unbecoming," he said. "That is a behavior that should not be tolerated by the House leadership." 

Pichay insisted he has no "bad blood" with Barbers, saying politics might  have played a role on how the Surigao del Norte lawmaker confronted him.

Pichay said Barbers' actions were "unparliamentary."

"I was making a manifestation... I only made an observation that we're not Congress, we are the House of Representatives," he said.

"Suddenly, I don't know where his anger came from. He uttered an unparliamentary word," Pichay added.

Pichay said Barbers should act as a statesman and apologize not to him but to the institution.

"Hindi ito palengke," said Pichay, even as he maintained that he did not utter any "bad words" during the confrontation. —KBK, GMA News