Ilocos Norte board members apologize to Fariñas for declaring him persona non grata

Members of the Ilocos Norte provincial board on Thursday apologized to Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas for issuing a resolution declaring him persona non-grata in his home province.

The Ilocos Norte board members likewise apologized to the House of Representatives for issuing a draft resolution condemning the inquiry into the P66.45-million purchase of motor vehicles allegedly using tobacco excise tax shares.

During the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability inquiry, Quezon City Representative Vincent Crisologo pointed out that it was "very irresponsible" for the board members to issue the draft resolution.

Board member Vicentito Lazo explained that they initially drafted the resolution to share their sentiments with Ilocos Norte farmers. But after an executive session, they decided to have the resolution archived.

Lazo repeatedly apologized for the draft resolution, but Crisologo could not simply accept it.

"Have you forgotten that this is in aid of legislation? This not to find out if someone is guilty or not," Crisologo said.

"Pasensya na po," Lazo replied.

The same board members likewise approved on June 27 Resolution No. 2017-06081, declaring Fariñas persona non grata in his home province.

As with the draft resolution, Lazo apologized for declaring Farinas a "person not appreciated" in Ilocos Norte.

"We apologize for having calendared that. I apologize for the persona non grata resolution. I apologize for saying to the Honorable Majority Floor Leader that we will [file] a disbarment case against him. Pasensya na po," he said.

Ilocos Norte governor Imee Marcos, who was also at the hearing, echoed the statements of the board members.

"I think we were all inflamed by concern and worry. I'm very, very sorry if this in one way or another offended or interfered in due process and operations of the House," she said.

In the end, Farinas asked the committee to just forgive the board members.

"Na-lay down na natin sila. Ako naman po ang most concerned, this is my district, this is my province. I pray that we just forgive them," he said.

It can be recalled that six Ilocos Norte provincial government officials were detained inside the Batasang Pambansa Complex for refusing to answer queries of the House panel about the supposedly anomalous purchase of the motor vehicles in the provincial government.

Supporters of Governor Marcos have likewise advised her to skip the House hearings she was subpoenaed to attend in connection with the case. — BM/KVD, GMA News