Lawmakers promise to block Palparan

MILITANT congressmen yesterday vowed to block retired general Jovito Palparan’s assumption of office even after he was named among the 22 party-list representatives who were allowed to take seats in Congress by the Supreme Court.

“We will ask the Commission on Elections to be strict in the implementation of the Supreme Court decision, particularly on the premise that they would only allow party-list groups from marginalized and under-represented sectors, and the nominee should also come from the marginalized sector,” Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo said.

“We don’t see Palparan as somebody coming from the marginalized sector,” Ocampo said of the controversial general, who is a representative of the Bantay party-list.

Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza said her party would also block Palparan’s assumption as party-list representative.

“Right from the start, we already contested Palparan and his Bantay party’s bid as these entities neither represent the marginalized sector nor reflect the sentiments of any sectoral group,” Maza said.

“We strongly protest against Palparan’s assumption of public office. Palparan is responsible for the spate of extrajudicial killings, abductions, torture of government critics and other grave abuses of human rights. We are gearing for his disqualification,”

Militant organizations have accused Palparan of being behind various cases of human rights violations, a charge he has repeatedly denied.

Ocampo said a Supreme Court ruling had in fact found Palparan “directly responsible” for alleged human rights abuses.

“He [Palparan] has a criminal liability and we were wondering why the [Justice Department] has yet to prosecute him. It is unacceptable for us to allow Palparan to take his seat in Congress,” Ocampo said.

But he said they welcomed the Supreme Court ruling increasing the number of party list representatives in the House.

“Generally, we welcome the Supreme Court decision that liberalized the entry of party-list representatives in the House of Representatives,” Ocampo said.