‘Red-tagged’ solons among lawmakers with most measures filed

Despite having been "red-tagged," six of the 10 House lawmakers with the most number of measures filed during the 18th Congress so far are from the Makabayan Bloc.

A photo posted on the Facebook page of Cagayan De Oro City Representative Rufus Rodriguez shows that all six Makabayan lawmakers are part of the top 10 lawmakers with the most number of measures filed from July 1, 2019 to October 25, 2020.

Rodriguez ranks first in the list, followed by Bayan Muna party-list Representatives Ferdinand Gaite and Carlos Zarate in second and third places.

Following them are Bayan Muna party-list Representative Eufemia Cullamat in fifth place, Kabataan party-list Representative Sarah Elago in sixth place, Gabriela Women's Party Representative Arlene Brosas in eighth place, and ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro in 10th place.

“Our track record speaks for itself," Gaite said in a statement on Monday.

"Congressional records will show that Makabayan Bloc representatives are some of the most hard-working members of the Lower House consistent with our sworn duty to pass legislation in support of people’s rights and welfare, definitely not some terrorist group Lt. General [Antonio] Parlade and his ilk in the NTF-ELCAC desperately tries to portray us,” he added.

Parlade earlier in the day said the Makabayan Bloc members as well as former Bayan Muna party-list Representative Neri Colmenares are under surveillance for being "card-bearing" members of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Gaite went on to dared Parlade to think first before again speaking against his fellow Makabayan Bloc members.

"Ang tapang mo magsalita laban sa Makabayan bloc pero di mo naman mapatunayan ang mga sinasabi mo," he chided the general.

"As for me and my fellow Makabayan legislators, House records show how busy we are in serving the people. Parlade for his part is just busy with rumor-mongering. Sayang ang buwis ng bayan sa tsismosong ito," he added.

Gaite maintained that no amount of red-tagging will prevent him and his fellow Makabayan lawmakers from performing their duties for the people.

"Tuloy-tuloy lang kami sa paggampan sa sinumpaang tungkulin na paglingkuran ang bayan,” he added. — DVM, GMA News