Contact Details

Rm. N-411, House of Representatives, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
+63 2 931 5497, +63 2 931 5001 local 7370

Press Statements

Elected officials as well as officers of the military establishment are sworn to protect the Constitution, uphold the rule of law and respect the supremacy of duly constituted civilian authority.

The improvident and recidivist adventurism of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Gen. Danilo Lim and their armed complement in forcibly seizing the Manila Peninsula Hotel to launch their concerted action to cause the fall of the government verily constitutes a violation of their oaths and transgression of penal laws.

This calls for immediate sanctions, arrest and prosecution of the errant parties.

I exhort our people to fully support the government and completely deny any assistance to the transgressors.

Press Statements

The resignation of embattled Comelec Commissioner Benjamin Abalos sets a welcome precedent for public officials who are embroiled in serious controversies to voluntarily terminate their incumbency in deference to public interest.

Resignation is neither an admission of culpability nor an excuse for impunity.

Abalos’ resignation liberates the House of Representatives from another time consuming and contentious impeachment proceedings which may end up as an exercise in futility because of his impending retirement in February 2008.

Press Statements

The conviction of former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada of plunder upholds the guiding principles of a democratic system on the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and accountability of public officials.

It doubtless shows that no man is above the law, not even its highest and most powerful implementor. It is a recognition of the reality that the victims of plunder are the people – the intended beneficiaries who are deprived of adequate social services from which were diverted the resources plundered.

Press Statements

The record growth rate in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is real but the burdensome population expansion and huge debt service are likewise real, thus negating the beneficent effects of economic growth.

The twin problems of excessive population growth and debt service derail and dilute the expected trickle down effect of economic growth.

Press Release

Rep. Edcel C. Lagman, Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, said that the economic stimulus package proposed by Albay Governor Joey Salceda is already adequately funded by Congress in the recently approved 2008 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) with the additional increases in the appropriations for social services and infrastructure development on top of the expanded budget proposed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

According to Lagman, “the impetus for growth to impede the expected economic slowdown as a consequence of the emerging recession in the United States has been budgeted by Congress in the GAB, thereby dispensing with the need for a supplemental budget for which funding support may be difficult to source without resorting to fresh borrowings and new taxes.”