A policy of reprisal and repression has been institutionalized by the leadership of the House after the anti-death penalty lawmakers were ousted today from their key positions.
The ploy of the House leaders asking the political parties concerned to recommend partymates to replace those members who were stripped of committee chairmanships is a double-edged sword to:
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Mollify the party by enticing it to remain with the majority coalition by giving it the opportunity to maintain party chairmanships; and
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Drive a wedge within the party by pitting one member against another.
No party worth its salt should fall prey to this malevolent scheme.
Since Speaker Alvarez has made good his threat after days of procrastination, any plea for “magnanimity” not to push through with the revamp is pointless.
Bold and decisive moves of the political parties and members affected must be the answer to the vindictiveness and tyranny of the House leadership in suppressing dissent and free will.
EDCEL C. LAGMAN