House leaders to Magalong: Back up allegations against solons with names, proof

House leaders said Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong should back up his allegations after he called the House's flood control projects probe “moro-moro,” with one Muslim lawmaker rebuking him for the use of the term.

“Public accusations must be anchored on verifiable proof and delivered with care befitting the gravity of the issue. The institution welcomes scrutiny that is backed by documents and testimony under oath, not sweeping claims that tarnish members who are conscientiously doing the work,” Manila Representative Bienvenido “Benny” Abante, chair of the House Committee on Human Rights, said.

“So ang sinasabi ba ni Mayor Magalong na kung moro-moro ang aming imbestigasyon dito sa Kamara, magkakasabwat kami? Konting ingat sana sa mga akusyasyon. Madali magbitaw ng mga salita, pero mahirap ito patunayan. Kung talagang naniniwala siya na may guilty sa ilan sa amin dito, huwag sana niyang lahatin. Sana bawiin na ni Mayor ang kanyang mga sinabi,” Abante added.

(By saying that our investigation is a farce, is he saying that there is collusion among us? He should be careful with his accusations. Talk is cheap, but backing it up with evidence is another thing. If he is convinced that there are House members who are guilty, don't drag the whole House. I hope he takes back his words.)

Magalong had alleged that some members of Congress are involved in were questionable projects.

Abante said that the mayor should name names, provide documents and testify under oath before the House probe.

“That [act of going through the process] is how we clean up the system. And As Speaker [Martin] Romualdez said before, we value transparency and accountability, and  we will open the door to any witness who brings credible information. Results beat rhetoric every time,” he said.

“Baka naman nabigla lang si Mayor and he does not really mean na kaming lahat dito sa Kamara ay kasama sa mga akusasyon niya. If this is the case, a public apology is in order,” Abante added.

(Maybe it was a sudden burst of emotion on the Mayor's part and he does not really mean that all of us here in the chamber are part of his accusations.)

Offensive term

House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Adiong of Lanao del Sur also pointed out that using the term "moro-moro" not only insults the House but Muslims as well.

“As a Muslim, I take offense at the casual use of the term ‘moro-moro’ to describe an investigation. Words carry history. We should never trivialize the struggles of Moro communities by turning that term into an insult,” he said, adding that in colonial times, "moro-moro" theater plays were used to depict conflict between Christians and Muslims.

“If you believe some House members are guilty, name them and present the proof. Do not condemn the entire House. Hindi kailangang bastusin ang institusyon para umusad ang katotohanan [You do not need to disrespect the whole House to reveal the truth]. It is the Congress' job to investigate due to its oversight powers. If someone is at fault, accountability will follow,” Adiong said.

GMA News Online has reached out to Magalong for comment.

InfraComm

In a separate statement, ML party-list Representative and former Justice secretary Leila de Lima expressed opposition to the House probe on flood control projects, citing conflict of interest.

“I register my objection in so far as [the House] looking on the problems on the flood control projects. It would not be prudent on the part of this House as it might entail possible conflict of interest. The House investigating this issue, when there have been so many reports, so many speculations about the possible involvement of certain members of the House...this would not sit well with the public,” she said.

“It would significantly [have an] impact on the integrity and dignity of this institution,” she added. — BM, GMA Integrated News