Defender hits expulsion as president of the House panel, affirms that Velasco sows mistrust

MANILA – Representative of the Anakalusugan Party roster, Mike Defender, yelled a foul Thursday after learning he was ousted as chairman of the House Public Accounts committee, months after his ally, Rep. Taguig , Alan Peter Cayetano, was replaced as president of the Chamber.

The legislator accused the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lord Allan Velasco, of sowing public mistrust in the legislature. Velasco’s first two months as head of the House have seen changes in House leadership, including the removal of Cayetano’s allies from top positions.

“It is important that we, as the House of Representatives, protect the trust of the Filipino people in us as their elected officials. However, President [Lord Allan] Velasco’s leadership is generating mistrust in Congress among Filipinos, ”said Defender.

Velasco assumed command of the House of Representatives after Cayetano’s attempt to remain in power beyond his term-sharing pact was thwarted in October.

Defensor played a key role in Cayetano’s attempt to maintain the highest position in the chamber when he moved to deny the motion of the Representative of Taguig declaring the position of Speaker of the House vacant.

Defender was replaced by Probinsiyano Ako Rep. José Bonito Singson. The ousted panel chairman later claimed that Velasco’s actions show “arrogance and lack of professionalism.”

“These actions show arrogance and lack of professionalism on the part of President Velasco and make citizens doubt his ability to lead the Chamber at a time when we need unity,” Defensor said.

He said he expected Velasco to give him “due notice” before removing him from the presidency.

“He also mishandled the change of chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee by not even giving me proper notice, even when he had the opportunity to tell me while we were in a meeting to discuss the investigations and bills that were being presented to the Committee.”

Velasco ignored Defensor’s statements.