15 senators file resolution censuring Parlade

Fifteen senators on Tuesday filed a resolution censuring National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade over his “stupid” remark against members of the upper chamber.

“Now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Philippines censure Lt. General Antonio Parlade Jr. for his disrespectful, derogatory, and demeaning statements against members of the Senate following their criticism of his persistent red-tagging of civilians,” Senate Resolution 709 read.

On Monday, the lawmakers drafted a resolution signed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senate President ProTempore Ralph Recto, Senators Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, Sherwin Gatchalian, Leila de Lima, Richard Gordon, Risa Hontiveros, Joel Villanueva, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan,  Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and Pia Cayetano.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri joined 14 of his colleagues in filing the resolution.

“Instead of engaging in a constructive debate, Lt. Gen. Parlade has chosen to demean and disparage the senators, through statements that display his limited grasp of Congress’ role in the budget process and show his lack of respect not just for the Senators as duly-elected representatives of the people but also for the Senate as an institution,” the senators said.

The resolution also cited Paralde’s alleged red-tagging of pioneer community pantry organizer, Ana Patricia Non.

“[A]s NTF-ELCAC Spokesperson, Parlade has likened Ana Patricia Non to Satan, following Ms. Non’s establishment of the first community pantry in Maginhawa Village, Quezon City…” the resolution read.

They explained that Parlade’s admission of profiling of community pantry organizers along with the requirement of permits and gathering of personal data by uniformed men “has led to the closure of some community pantries for organizers’ fear of being red-tagged.”

Willing to reach out

In a radio interview Monday, Parlade said he was willing to reach out to the senators and discuss the issues affecting the NTF-ELCAC, even apologizing over his “stupid” remark.

“Yes, I’d like to reach out to our senators, huwag namang ganyanin nila ang Armed Forces, huwag  naman nilang ganyanin ang mga spokesperson [Don’t do that to the Armed Forces. Don’t do that to spokespersons],” said Parlade, who is facing a gag order over his remarks about the community pantry initiatives.

Aside from being NTF-ELCAC spokesperson, Parlade also heads the military’s Southern Luzon Command (Solcom).

“Alam mo ba na libre itong ginagawa namin sa NTF-ELCAC? Wala kaming pisong duling na natatangap sa NTF-ELCAC [Do you know that we don't receive additional pay for what we are doing in NTF-ELCAC?]" Parlade said.

He said he was sorry that other senators were affected by his statement when he was only referring to some.

Defund NTF-ELCAC

Earlier, senators have called for the defunding of the NTF-ELCAC, following red-tagging of community pantry initiators, who provided free food for those severely-affected by the lockdown.

In response, Parlade said in a television interview that it is “stupid” for the senators to recall the budget for the task force as they were the ones who approved the budget to continue with the program.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon defended the anti-insurgency task force funds, saying it is being released to local government units for their barangay development program.

Lawmakers both in the House of Representatives and the Senate have filed resolutions to scrutinize the budget and the performance of the anti-insurgency task force. — RSJ, GMA News